Shana-- Iranian Ministry of Petroleum has revealed the list of 6 exploration and production companies qualified to join foreign partners in oil and gas projects.

The 6 companies are added to 11 other local companies that were previously announced as qualified to partner with foreign energy majors seeking a share in Iran's massive energy market.

Habibollah Bitaraf, deputy petroleum minister for engineering, research and technology affairs, said Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company (IOEC), Kayson, Iran Ofogh Industrial Development Company (IOID), Pars Petro Zagros Company (PPZ Co.), Global Petro Tech Kish and Sina Energy Development Company (SEDCO) are the companies that have been added to the list.

All these companies are leading Iranian energy heavyweights and their partnership concerns only exploration and production (E&P) activities with international energy companies, he added.