Australian energy and mining giant BHP Billiton said Thursday it was on pace start selling off its U.S. shale assets during the first quarter of the year. In August, CEO Andrew Mackenzie said the company determined that its U.S. shale assets were not core parts of the portfolio. In a performance review for the six months ending in December, it said its exploration and production activity was stable, but it was looking for the exit door. “We continue to progress a number of alternatives to exit our onshore U.S. assets for value,” the review read. “We are preparing all appropriate documentation ahead of data rooms being opened to potential trade sale buyers by the end of the March 2018 […]