Chinese companies win bids to explore Iraq for oil, gas

Cairo - Chinese companies won four bids to explore Iraqi oil and gas fields, Iraq's oil minister said Sunday as the Middle Eastern country's hydrocarbon exploration licensing round continued into its second day.

The oil and gas licenses for 29 projects are mainly aimed at ramping up output for domestic use, with more than 20 companies pre-qualifying, including European, Chinese, Arab and Iraqi groups.

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