Several international companies have submitted documents to the Iraqi oil ministry to qualify them to take part in the country's fourth oil and gas licensing auction scheduled for January, one document and persons close to the ministry said Thursday.

According to people who saw a recent document issued by the oil ministry, at least 27 international companies have paid fees to the ministry to qualify them to take part in the bidding round to auction 12 exploration blocks located in various parts of Iraq .

"The ministry is studying documents of these companies and a list of pre-qualified companies is expected to be issued within the next two weeks," a ministry official, who asked not to be name for security reasons, said.

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