Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia, has invited foreign companies to bid for contracts to explore and develop natural gas reserves in 11 new blocks, Reuters reported.

According to a statement released by the oil ministry on Sunday, there are eight blocks in the western province of Anbar, one in the northern city of Mosul, and two more along the province’s borders, including one between the Anbar area and Mosul and another with the southern city of Naja in Iraq.

Iraq, which suffered from U.S. Pressure to reduce its output from Iran, trying to produce much-needed natural gas for power stations and cut imports that weigh on the country’s budget.