LONDON Jan 9 (Reuters) – At least 18 consortia are working
on bids for Nigerian oil rights being sold by Royal Dutch Shell
(RDSa.L: Quote) and partners, the Sunday Times newspaper said, citing
unidentified sources close to the process.

The newspaper said Nat Rothschild, scion of the banking
dynasty, was backing one group of bidders, while Russian gas
group Gazprom (GAZP.MM: Quote) was leading a bid with Nigerian
resources firm Equinox Group.

London-listed oil industry services group Petrofac (PFC.L: Quote)
has joined forces with Nigerian gas firm Seven Energy to bid for
one of the blocks being sold, while London-listed oil group
Afren (AFRE.L: Quote) also plans to make an offer, it added.

Another bidding group includes London-based oil firm
Perenco, Nigeria’s Oando and Addax Oryx, which is controlled
by billionaire Jean Claude Gandur, the paper said.

Sweden’s Lundin family is also interested, and working with
logistics firm Intels Nigeria, it said.

Shell, which is selling four onshore fields along with
partners Total (TOTF.PA: Quote) and Eni (ENI.MI: Quote), declined to comment.

Shell has said it hopes local companies would bid and
analysts think there could be a preference for local players.
[ID:nLDE6A11Z2]
(Reporting by Mark Potter; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

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