SK Energy to seek oil fields in southern Iraq

SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top refiner SK Energy has taken part in
the second prequalification screening of eligible bidders for oil fields in
southern Iraq, government sources said Monday.

However, it is uncertain whether SK Energy will be qualified to enter the bid for
the development of the oil fields, the sources said. The result of the assessment
will turn out in April.
The Iraqi government banned exports of oil to SK Energy in January of last year,
claiming a deal the company signed with the government of Iraqi Kurdistan to tap
the Bazian oil field located in northern Iraq was illegal.
SK Energy resumed oil imports from Iraq in January of this year and participated
in the second prequalification screening, on condition that it will not further
participate in the oil exploration projects in northern Iraq, the sources said.
South Korea's state-run Korea Gas Corp. also qualified to bid for the oil fields
in the first prequalification screening of eligible bidders for the oil fields
last year.
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