Tatneft says it will select a contractor to analyse 750 square kilometres of 3D field data from Block 1 of Area 82, which the company won in bidding for the country's third oil and gas exploration licensing round, in a joint venture with the state-run National Oil Corporation (NOC).

Russian oil companies won four out of the seven areas awarded in the third licensing round, which was characterised by waning interest from the oil majors (MEED 5:1:07).

Tatneft won three onshore contracts - two in the Ghadames Basin in the west and one in the central Sirte Basin - while Gazprom was awarded offshore Area 19.

Proposals must be submitted to Tatneft by 30 October.