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John Hess is talking to directly with shareholders in a last-ditch effort to ensure enough support for a $53 billion takeover by Chevron Corp., according to people familiar with the matter.

Chevron Corp.’s $53 billion deal to acquire Hess Corp. suffered a blow May 13 when a leading shareholder adviser urged investors to abstain from voting for the deal.

Exxon Mobil and Chevron declined after disappointing first-quarter performances despite posting strong production gains in marquee oil projects in Guyana and the Permian Basin.

Exxon Mobil Corp. is convinced its interpretation of intent in a Guyanese oil contract signed a decade ago will prevail in a landmark arbitration case against Chevron Corp.

Hess Corp. signaled its $53 billion agreement to be bought by Chevron Corp. may be delayed after ExxonMobil filed for arbitration to preserve its rights to a massive oil discovery off Guyana.

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating Chevron’s acquisition of Hess oil company, the second inquiry the independent agency has opened recently of a major oil industry merger.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is urging the Federal Trade Commission to look into whether Exxon Mobil and Chevron’s proposed oil and gas acquisitions could violate antitrust laws.

Exxon Mobil’s third-quarter profit declined compared with last year when the oil giant put up record numbers as oil prices soared, but net income jumped 15% compared with Q2.

Chevron is buying Hess Corp. for $53 billion and it’s not even the biggest acquisition in the energy sector this month as major producers seize the initiative while oil prices surge.

Chevron Corp. bought a plot of land the size of almost 60 football fields just outside of Houston in preparation for what could become a new research-and-development campus.