Exxon Mobil Corp, BP Plc and BG Group Plc decided not to make bids for the giant offshore Libra oilprospect that Brazil plans to auction on Oct. 21, MagdaChambriard, head of Brazil's oil regulator ANP, said onThursday.
The decisions by the three international giants - two ofwhich, BP and BG, already have large investments in Brazil nearLibra - have helped frustrate Chambriard's expectation that morethan 40 companies would take part in the auction.
As of yesterday's deadline, less than 40 companies had paidthe 2.05 million real ($931,818) fee to guarantee a spot at theauction, Chambriard told reporters in Rio de Janeiro.
Earlier on Thursday, Chambriard said that at least 12companies had paid the initial entry fee. The ANP will publish acomplete list of preliminary participants on Thursday, theregulator's press office said on Wednesday.
The ANP said Libra holds 8 billion to 12 billion barrels ofrecoverable oil, enough to supply all current world oil needsfor three to five months.
BP (BP.)
