Australia's Santos has announced a delay in finalising the $18.7 billion takeover bid led by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, with the consortium requesting at least four more weeks to secure necessary approvals. The postponement has caused Santos shares to fall, reflecting investor uncertainty about the deal's prospects. Analysts point to regulatory hurdles, especially approval from Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board, as significant challenges, given the political sensitivity of the domestic gas market and national interest considerations. If successful, the transaction would be the largest all-cash corporate buyout in Australian history, granting the consortium control over key liquefied natural gas operations and prized assets in Papua New Guinea. Santos has also deferred its interim earnings report to August 25 as negotiations continue.