The message follows the $70 billion deal to acquire rival producer BG (BG.L) by oil major Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L), which has sparked speculation of a larger wave of consolidation similar to the one at the end of 1990s during another oil price decline. British officials have said the government would be “skeptical” about any takeover – even if it involves Royal Dutch Shell – because it wants the country to have two big global oil companies, the FT reported.