Iraq has awarded six contracts to foreign companies to explore and develop oil and gas blocks near its borders with Iran and Kuwait, the Oil Ministry said Thursday.
Ministry spokesman Assem Jihad said Thursday’s bidding round resulted in the transfer of six out of 11 blocks offered for exploration and development.
Three exploration blocks went to Iraqi-owned, United Arab Emirates-based Crescent Petroleum, while China’s Geo-Jade was awarded two contracts, and United Energy Group, another Chinese company, got one, the ministry said.
No bids were made on the remaining five blocks.
The blocks were initially set for auction last June. The last date to submit offers was postponed to April 15, and once again until April 25 to give interested companies more time.
Also on Thursday, state-owned Basra Oil Company signed two contracts, worth $118 million, with China’s Anton Oilfield Services and U.S. engineering company KBR to operate and maintain the Majnoon oilfield in southern Iraq, the ministry said in another statement.
Minister Jabbar Ali Al-Luiebi confirmed the ministry's keenness to develop production at the super-giant Majnoon field to achieve higher production levels in accordance with the project's plans. He said the field, which is one of Iraq's biggest, would be developed through national effort “after the withdrawal of BP from the development operations”.
Ihsan Abd Al-Jabbar, director-general of Basra Oil Company, said that Anton Oil and KBR would provide consultation services 'to develop abilities and transfer information'. He said the contracts also included a program of administration and standard maintenance to the field, in line with international requirements.
By Hale Turkes
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr