Oil explorer Kosmos considers IPO - FT

LONDON, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Oil exploration and production company Kosmos, the operator of Ghana's Jubilee oil field, is considering an initial public offering, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

The IPO -- possibly in the UK or the United States -- would value the Texas-based company at about $5 billion, the newspaper said without citing sources.

Blackstone (BX.N) and Warburg [WP.UL], the U.S. private equity owners of Kosmos, are considering taking the company public after opposition from Ghana National Petroleum Corp led to the collapse of a deal to sell its stakes in Ghana's Jubilee oilfield to ExxonMobil (XOM.N). [ID:nSGE67H089]

By publicly listing a minority stake, the U.S. owners hope to avoid interference from Accra, the FT said, as it would not amount to a change of control. (Reporting by Karolina Tagaris; editing by Dhara Ranasinghe)