Sudan expects to sign oil exploration deals for six blocks in the coming month, according to the country’s oil minister Awad Ahmed al-Jaz.

Al-Jaz told the country’s parliament in Khartoum that Sudan launched a tender for six unlicensed blocks and had received more than 70 offers from international companies, according to Reuters.

Sudan is attempting to boost oil production amid an ongoing conflict with South Sudan that has significantly affected its crude exports.

Al-Jaz said Sudan is looking to expand oil production to 80,000 barrels a day (b/d) this year in the contested Heglig area. Production was reported to be 60,000 b/d in March.

The Heglig field is operated by Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company (GNPOC) owned by China National Petroleum Corporation, Malaysia-based Petronas, India’s ONGC and state-owned Sudan National Petroleum Corporation (Sudapet).