Arrow backs new $3.1 bln offer from Shell, PetroChina

SYDNEY, March 22 (Reuters) - Australia's Arrow Energy Ltd AOE.AX agreed to a fresh takeover offer from Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) and PetroChina (0857.HK), raised by six percent to A$3.4 billion ($3.1 billion) for its Australian assets.

Shell and PetroChina raised their offer to A$4.70 a share in cash for Arrow's Australian assets plus one share in a new listed entity to be called Dart Energy, which will house the group's Asian exploration assets and some Australian assets, Arrow said on Monday.

The new offer is pitched at a 35 percent premium to Arrow's last trade ahead of March 8, when Shell and PetroChina first made an offer of A$4.45 a share for the Australian assets. ($1=A$1.09) (Reporting by Sonali Paul)