UPDATE 1-BHP hires four banks for U.S. shale exit ahead of early 2018 deadline - sources
December 12, 2017 at 07:30 AM EST
LONDON/NEW YORK, Dec 12 (Reuters) - BHP , the world's largest miner, has asked four investment banks to help it prepare for either a sale or spin-off of its underperforming U.S. shale oil and gas unit, with a view to taking a decision in early 2018, sources said.