June 25 (Reuters) - Shell is in early talks to

buy rival BP, the Wall Street Journal reported on

Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Talks between company representatives are active and BP is

considering the approach carefully, the report added.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Shell and

BP did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Potential terms of any deal could not be learned and a

tie-up is far from certain, the report said.