The National Iranian Oil Company on Monday issued a list of 29 international companies approved to bid in the country’s dozens of oil and gas tenders.
The list includes big names including France’s Total, Royal Dutch Shell, Italy’s Eni, Lukoil and Gazprom of Russia, Danish conglomerate Maersk, China’s CNPC and Sinopec, Austria’s OMV and Schlumberger, Oil Ministry’s news service Shana reported.
The list did not include oil major BP.
The Financial Times said BP had opted out of athe bidding because of concerns over possible renewed US-Iran tensions after president-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
The Oil Ministry hopes that the tenders will ease the return of oil and gas majors to the country's emerging energy sector after the lifting of some international restrictions in January.
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