29 Firms Pre-Qualify For 4th Brazilian License Round

A total of 29 companies have pre-qualified to bid in Brazil's 4th licensing round for on and offshore oil and gas exploration and production concessions to be held on June 19 and 20, said petroleum agency ANP said. The auction of 54 blocks is expected to raise approximately US $7 million according to the ANP.

Prospective bidders include Petrobras, BHP Billiton Ltd, ChevronTexaco Corp, Chinese Petroleum Corp, ENI SpA, Norsk Hydro ASA, Lukoil, Shell Brasil Ltda, Statoil ASA and TotalFinaElf SA. Repsol-YFP SA, BP PLC and ExxonMobil Corp declined to participate.