An Indian oil firm, Gail India Ltd, announced Saturday it has been shortlisted by Ethiopia's Ministry of Mines and Energy to participate in the bidding process for the exploration and development of the country's gas fields.

The gas fields are located at Calub and Hilala gas fields in the Ogaden basin of east Ethiopia's Somali state, the company said in a press release.

The company had responded to the notice published by the ministry in March 2006 for the development of two gas condensate fields, which are estimated to contain about 4 trillion cubic feet of gas.

The company submitted its expression of interest together with Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd (GSPC), one of the largest Indian oil firms.

As per the communication of pre-qualification received from the ministry, the bids are due for submission by June 10, 2006.

Since the two gas fields on offer are remotely located, commercial exploitation of gas reserves would need the setting up of gas processing facilities and a long distance gas pipeline to reach potential markets, said the press release.

Source: Xinhua