Iraq's Oil Ministry said Tuesday it had postponed the deadline for bids to develop the Akkas gas field, a prized natural gas field in western Iraq, until May 18.
The announcement Tuesday comes two weeks after the previous deadline expired. Authorities didn't provided any reason for the postponement.
But the ministry last week said in a report that Iraq has been unable to lure enough bids from foreign or local companies for oil and gas projects due to lack of security.
The Akkas field, which has estimated reserves of more than 2.15 trillion cubic feet, is located in the former Sunni insurgent stronghold of Anbar province.