SYDNEY, Nov 16 (Reuters) - BHP Billiton said on Thursday it hopes to fully divest its troubled U.S. onshore shale business in around two years and is also seeking a buyer for its nickel business in Australia.

The renewed push to unload both sets of assets, which the world's biggest mining company no longer deems strategic, comes as prices for oil and nickel enjoy a price resurgence.

"Nickel West is non-core, shale is non-core," Mackenzie told reporters following the company's annual general meeting in Melbourne.

Nickel prices are up around 16 percent from January percent this year, while oil has risen about 9 percent.

"We do consider we will see reasonable oil prices going forward, which is good for the businesses we retain and also the sales process," Mackenzie said.