ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) is in talks with Qatar over a possible deal that could see the country investing in the company's U.S. gas resources, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on April 10, citing people familiar with the matter.

The deal could take the shape of a joint venture in which Qatar, through state-owned Qatar Petroleum, could partner or invest in future wells with ExxonMobil's unit XTO Energy Inc., the paper said.

ExxonMobil already partners Qatar Petroleum to explore oil and gas off the coast of Cyprus and for drilling rights in Brazil.

WSJ said the talks could still fall apart and that no deal had been reached yet. The report did not say how much Qatar was planning to invest in XTO Energy.

ExxonMobil did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The company's shares were up 1.7% at $76.17 in premarket trading.