Celebrations: in Zambia
Lusaka calls for E&P bids
Zambia has called on foreign players to bid in its debut licensing round, setting 7 August as the deadline for tenders.
Lusaka has put 23 blocks in three provinces on the table, a senior government official said..
Godwin Beene, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Mines & Minerals Development, told Reuters tenders would close on 7 August for all petroleum companies that plan to carry out detailed exploration after initial soil sample tests in European laboratories indicated good traces of existence oil.
"The government... invites sealed bids for petroleum exploration licensing round for 23 blocks in the north-western, western and eastern provinces of Zambia," Reuters quoted him as saying.
Beene said the bidders should demonstrate proven ability to raise funds required for the projects, and also show they have assets, machinery, technical expertise, equipment and tools required to explore, produce and sell oil.
He said the bids will be opened on the same day of closure of tenders in the presence of bidders, which will be required to pay $10,000 non-refundable bidding fees.
The Zambian authorities have said there are oil traces in areas of the country bordering Angola, one of Africa's major producers.