Iraqi notice on oil does not include contracts

Monday June 30, 8:53 am ET
By Sameer N. Yacoub, Associated Press Writer
Iraqi government opens 6 oil fields to bidding; no announced deals with big oil companies

BAGHDAD (AP) -- The Iraqi government opened six oil fields to international bidding Monday as the nation attempts to boost daily production by 60 percent.

The potential participation of big Western companies like BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Shell and Total SA in Iraq\'s oil industry has been criticized in recent weeks following published reports that several were close to signing no-bid contracts with the Iraqi government.