Sunday, 7 August 2011 at 14:37, Reuters, Baghdad
Iraq has already signed a series of deals with oil majors to develop its largest oilfields. (REUTERS)
Iraq has qualified 41 companies to participate in its fourth energy bidding round, which is scheduled to take place in late January, Abdul-Mahdy al-Ameedi, director of the oil ministry's contracts and licensing directorate, told Reuters on Sunday.
The 4th bidding round for 12 new exploration blocs is expected to add 29 trillion cubic feet of gas and 10 billion barrels of oil to Iraqi reserves from the auction.
"We eventually qualified 41 companies," Ameedi said.
Ameedi said the next step would be inviting the 41 companies to a roadshow on Sept 11 in Amman, Jordan and presenting a data package with initial tender protocol to companies on Sept 12.
The announcement may lead to a clash with an Iraqi parliament energy panel chief who said in May he wanted the bidding delayed until lawmakers approve a long-delayed new hydrocarbons law.
Opec member Iraq has already signed a series of deals with oil majors to develop its largest oil-fields and is seeking to boost its production as the country pulls back from years of war and economic sanctions.
Your comments