Enterprise Oil, the UK oil exploration and development company being stalked by Italian energy group Eni, has used its 2001 results to deter potential bidders from making any unsolicited takeover offers.

Advised by Lazard, Eni made an informal bid approach for Enterprise in December last year. The UK company immediately rebuffed the approach, but hired Rothschild to advise on its defence strategy. Enterprise confirmed in January that it had received a bid approach but refused to identify the bidder.