Halliburton out of Petrom race

US giant Halliburton, supplier of oil equipment and services, has not been shortlisted to bid for SNP (National Oil Company) Petrom and is contesting the decision of Romanian authorities, urging them to reconsider their position. Halliburton officials are “both shocked and surprised,” whereas Ovidiu Tender (photo), who had teamed up with the American company in a consortium, is even threatening to “clear up” in court the situation created by the decision of the Economy and Trade Ministry. The ministry has shortlisted only 11 of the 15 companies that had submitted letters of interest. The Halliburton (US)-Tender (Romania)-Regal Petroleum (UK) consortium was among the rejected candidates, as the ministry said it did not meet the pre-qualification criteria. ZF