After no foreign energy companies bid for oil and gas licenses at two auctions this spring, five Western companies are among the 13 bidders for the 50-year oil and gas production sharing agreements.

After no foreign energy companies bid for oil and gas licenses at two auctions this spring, five Western companies are among the 13 bidders for the 50-year oil and gas production sharing agreements. With bidding closed, the foreign bidders are Vermilion of Alberta, Canada; Aspect Energy of Denver, Colorado; SigmaBleyzer, of Houston, Texas; Nafta of Slovakia; and EPH, or Energetický a průmyslový holding, a.s., of the Czech Republic. WorldOil.com reports that Ukraine’s Intergovernmental Commission is to evaluate bids in June and make its recommendations for winners to the Cabinet of Ministers.