SAO PAULO, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Brazil oil regulator ANP namedthe first 12 companies on Friday that have been approved toparticipate in an upcoming auction of oil and natural gasexploration areas.
The companies that will take part in the auction, scheduledfor Oct. 7, include Portugal's Galp Energia, Petro Rio, Royal Dutch Shell, Angola state oil companySonangol and Engie, the ANP said.
Petro Rio was previously known as HRT Participacoes SA,while Engie was formerly GDF Suez. (Reporting by Roberto Samora and Caroline Stauffer; Editing byPeter Galloway)