World Business Quick Take

■ Energy
ConocoPhillips buys rival
ConocoPhillips, the third largest US oil concern, announced yesterday it had bought rival Burlington Resources in a deal worth US$35.6 billion. The deal will place ConocoPhillips within reach of oil industry giants ExxonMobil and ChevronTexaco. According to the latest stock values for both companies, the new merged concern is valued at US$135 billion with an accrued debt of US$29 billion, the two firms said in a joint statement.

■ Communications
HP offers remote link-ups
Hewlett-Packard Co (HP) on Monday jumped into the business of providing the technology -- and building the rooms -- for large companies to hold virtual face-to-face meetings regardless of the distance between participants. HP's Halo Collaboration Studio offers a nearly immersive environment where people can see each other, talk and collaborate remotely as if they were in the same room. The underlying network, built and serviced by HP, minimizes delays and never crosses the public Internet. Developed in partnership with DreamWorks Animation SKG LLCnication between its headquarters in Sunnyvale, California and in Austin, Texas.

■ Automobiles
DaimlerChrysler investing
DaimlerChrysler Monday that it will invest up to US$1 billion in its two plants in St. Louis, Missouri, which produce its popular Dodge Ram truck as well as the Chrysler and Dodge minivans. With strides expected to be seen next year, the investment will be shared by the two plants, which employ a total of 5,500 workers. The announcement by the German-US auto giant contrasts with the moves by US rivals General Motors and Ford, which are closing plants and retrenching.