The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) expanded the list of companies that will be able to participate in the tender for the development of oil and gas fields in the country, reported Azer News.

NIOC added Russia’s Gazprom Neft, Rosneft, Tatneft and Zarubezhneft, and Azerbaijan’s state-owned Socar, taking its list of prequalified companies to a total of 34, informed Public Now.

The expansion took place on the eve of the tender for the development of the large Azadegan oil field, which is to be held on June 19. This will be the first tender in Iran to be held under the terms of a new model of agreements designed to replace the less successful previous version.

Officials at Russian companies have said that they are potentially interested in projects in Iran, but the companies are waiting for a final contract to evaluate the economics and decide whether they are to take part in them and in which form, individually or via consortia.