Ukraine authorities have selected a US-led consortium to continue talks on a production sharing agreement to explore and develop the large Dolphin block in the country's Black Sea waters, writes Vladimir Afanasiev.
Trident Black Sea was picked from a list of three bidders that also comprised US-registered Frontera Resources and local player Ukrneftebureniye.
A fourth bidder, Caspian Drilling International, which is owned by Azerbaijan state oil company Socar, withdrew its application, quoting the high legal risks of losing its right for the block.
