Provided by Dow Jones By David Winning SYDNEY Santos Ltd. said it approached Oil Search Ltd. about a possible merger last month, but its proposal to create an energy company with a market value of 22 billion Australian dollars (US$16.1 billion) was rejected. Santos said it offered 0.589 of its own shares in exchange for each Oil Search share on issue. A deal would have led to Santos shareholders owning 63% of the combined company, with Oil Search investors holding the remaining stock. The proposal implied a value of A$4.25 for each Oil Search share, Santos said, representing a 16% premium to the stock s closing price on Monday.