The Iraqi government is auctioning 12 exploration blocks and 47 other companies have been qualified to bid in the leasing round, currently scheduled for May 30-31. Among those companies welcomed into the auction are Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE: RDS-A), a partner with Exxon in developing Iraq’s massive West Qurna field.
Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) and Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: OXY) are the only other US-based companies included among the qualified companies. BP plc (NYSE: BP), Total SA (NYSE: TOT), and Eni SpA (NYSE: E) were also okayed. A complete list is available from Reuters.
Paul Ausick