LONDON (Reuters) - BG Group (LSE: BG.L - news) <BG.L> on Friday said discussions over its $12 billion (6.2 billion pound) bid approach to Australia's Origin <ORG.AX> are ongoing but so far inconclusive.

BG, valued at around $85 billion, said on April 30 it had approached Origin, Australia's second-largest power retailer, with a proposal of A$14.70 (7.1 pounds) per share bid in cash, a 40 percent premium to Origin's closing price the previous day.

The gas producer said on Friday it has since had discussions with senior representatives of Origin. Its statement was in response to a request from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

BG also said a syndicate of banks had agreed to fund the deal. Senior bankers close to the deal said on Tuesday four banks - HSBC <HSBA.L>, Royal Bank of Scotland (LSE: 91ID.L - news) <RBS.L>, Societe Generale (Paris: FR0000130809 - news) <SOGN.PA> and Santander <SAN.MC> - had been appointed as lead arrangers.

Analysts have said BG's purchase of Origin would help fill a hole in its liquefied natural gas (LNG) business.

(Reporting by Erica Billingham; Editing by Andrew Callus)