SAO PAULO, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Brazilian oil company Prio

has denied being in talks to buy the 60% stake owned

by Norway's Equinor ( EQNR ) in the Peregrino oil field.

In a securities filing late on Thursday, the company

countered a report by newspaper Folha de S.Paulo published

earlier that day that said, citing sources, that there were

ongoing talks for the deal.

"In the past, the company has publicly and widely

communicated its interest in acquiring a stake in the asset,

however there are no negotiations for the acquisition of

Equinor's ( EQNR ) 60% stake," Prio said.

Equinor's ( EQNR ) press office in Brazil did not immediately respond

to a request for comment.

Prio bought the 40% stake it currently owns in the Peregrino

field from China's Sinochem last year in a nearly $2

billion deal.