Iraq oil deals, perhaps bids, open to firms who register with Oil Ministry by Jan. 31 …

Iraq's Oil Ministry said all companies interested in winning contracts need to register as Iraq moves closer to its first tenders of oil fields, Ben Lando reports for United Press International.

There have been mixed messages from the ministry, however, as to whether certain fields will be awarded in an open bidding process or negotiated between the ministry and a selected company. And the type of contract itself, a controversial aspect, has not been specified by the ministry.