THE CASE for merging is presented most vocally, and perhaps unsurprisingly given their vested interest, by bankers. They argue market forces driving consolidation will be irresistible. Upstream talked to some of the world's leading deal makers , including the team at JP Morgan who advised BP on the seminal merger with Amoco. Rod Peacock, global head of energy at the investment house, believes there will now be powerful pressures on competitors to investigate link-ups.