Jan. 12, 2009 -- Barbados' energy ministry's official Andre Brathwaite told BNamericas that the country's offshore oil and gas licensing round is now closed and awards have been made and will announce winners on Monday (Jan 12).

The government offered in September, 24 blocks that span 65,248km2 in total. The smallest block covers 790km2 and the largest 5,025km2.

BHP Billiton   (NYSE: BHP), Windward (Barbados) Exploration and Production, and Jupiter Petroleum are the bidding companies waiting for the awards.

The Barbados National Oil Company (BNOC) produces around 1,100 b/d from onshore fields and sends the crude to Trinidad & Tobago to be refined, after which it is brought back to Barbados.

The 1,100b/d represents roughly 15% of Barbados' fuel requirements, the rest of which are imported.

Story from Petroleumworld -  01/11/2009