ALGIERS�Algeria's Energy and Mines Ministry is offering the first six of 60 blocks that it plans to tender for exploration and development licenses.
Two blocks are in the Berkine basin and one each in the Ahnet, Timimoun, and Illizi basins in the south of the country. The sixth is in northeast Algeria.
This latest round, extending through Dec. 20, will allow oil companies to gather data and contractual information about the blocks. Sealed tenders will be opened Feb. 14, with contracts to be signed 15 days after bids are selected.
Sonatrach presented contractual, technical, and commercial details of the six blocks to representatives of 25 oil companies at meetings on Nov. 8 and Nov. 19.