Three Gas Exploration Tracts in the Rub'al-Khali Awarded to Lukoil,Sinopec and Eni/Repsol YPF

摘要

Within the space of three days between 26 and 28 January,the Saudi authorities announced the award of all three gas exploration tracts in the Rub'al-Khali it had offered to international oil companies.Area A (29,900 sq km) went to the Russian company OAO Lukoil,Area B (38,800 sq km) to China Petroleum & Chemical Company (Sinopec),and Area C (51,400 sq km) to a consortium composed of Eni of Italy and the Spanish company Repsol YPF.In each case,the foreign contractor or contractors are to set up a joint operating company with Saudi Aramco,in which the national oil company will have a 20% interest.