BHP (NYSE:BHP) May Acquire Woodside says Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS)

Joining the chorus of commentators and analysts hyping the possibility BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP) may target Woodside Petroleum Ltd. is Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), who believes they will be a target of BHP if the Potash (NYSE:POT) remains closed to the mining giant.

With little chance of the Canadian government changing their minds, Morgan is essentially saying Woodside is the next target of BHP CEO Marius Kloppers.

Morgan Stanley said, “The path to a successful takeover of Woodside is now less challenging for either BHP or another suitor. BHP is “acquisitive and cashed up” they added, citing the improbability of being opposed by the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board.

“Should BHP fail to change the view of the Canadian government in the next 30 days on Potash Corp., we expect the market to focus on BHP potentially acquiring Woodside,” concluded Morgan Stanley in their report.

Neither company has commented on the media stories so far.

If something was to happen that quickly after the failed bid for Potash, Kloppers would have to be extremely careful that he wouldn't fail in this next bid, as his ability to get an acquisition deal done hasn't been proven yet, and he needs to win if he rebounds back into the acquisition market that quickly.