LONDON -(Dow Jones)- BG Group PLC (BG.LN), a natural gas and oil exploration company, said Thursday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding or MoU with Cosan S.A. Industria e Comercio for the sale of its 60.1% holding in Comgas, Brazil's largest gas distribution company, for $1.8 billion. MAIN FACTS: -Subject to partner consent, BG Group and Cosan expect to execute a definitive sale agreement in the near term. -The transaction, which will be subject to regulatory approval, is likely to complete by the end of 2012. -Shareholders in Comgas are BG Group--60.1% and Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSA.LN)--18.1% with the remainder held via the public through a listing on the Sao Paulo stock exchange. -BG Group shares closed Wednesday at GBP14.51, valuing the company at GBP49.29 billion. -By Razak Musah Baba, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9275; razak.baba@dowjones.com
