Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA has provided the data package to 19 companies for the upcoming Carabobo round for seven heavy crude blocks in the Orinoco belt, PDVSA said in a statement.

The companies include: British oil major BP (NYSE: BP); California-based Chevron (NYSE: CVX); China's CNPC and Sinopec; Colombia's Ecopetrol (NYSE: EC); Italy's Eni (NYSE: ENI); Portugal's Galp; Japanese firms Inpex, Jogmec and Mitsubishi; India's ONGC; Brazil's Petrobras (NYSE: PBR); Malaysia's Petronas; Norway's StatoilHydro (NYSE: STO); France's Total (NYSE: TOT); a Russian consortium of unspecified companies; and Venezuelan firm Suelopetrol.

PDVSA listed the price of the data package at US$2mn.

Besides creating JVs to operate the seven new blocks, the round also calls for the construction of three new heavy crude upgraders in the Soledad municipality of Anzoátegui state with capacities around 200,000b/d.

Data room sessions will run from December 1-19, the oil and energy ministry Menpet previously announced.

Interested companies must indicate the areas they are interested in and possible consortium partners from January 9-22. Offers will be submitted and opened on April 16 and winners announced on May 7.

Menpet expects to sign contracts with winning firms on June 4.

PDVSA will require a 70% stake in any JV formed during the round.