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

The conclusion of the saga removes a stock overhang for Chevron and paves the way for the $53 billion deal to close immediately, which the oil giant said it could happen within a couple of days.

It’s a big win for Chevron. Buying Hess without the Guyana project would have wiped out the biggest upside from the deal.