Arbitrators cleared the way for the long-delayed $53 billion acquisition after Exxon tried to pre-empt the deal.

Chevron closed its $55 billion acquisition of Hess on Friday after winning a landmark legal battle against larger rival Exxon Mobil to gain access to the biggest oil discovery in decades - the Stabroek Block off the coast of Guyana,

Chevron Corp. won its arbitration battle with Exxon Mobil Corp. and has closed its $53-billion deal to buy Hess Corp. more than 20 months after the takeover was announced.