Iraq delays decision on Rumaila oilfield

BAGHDAD, June 30 (Reuters) - Iraq's Oil Ministry on Tuesday delayed a decision on a contract for the super giant Rumaila oilfield after offers from a BP-led (BP.L) consortium and an Exxon Mobil-led (XOM.N) consortium exceeded the per barrel fee it was prepared to pay.

Next on offer in Iraq's first auction of major oil and gas field contracts was the undeveloped Mansuriyah gas field.

The BP consortium bidding for Rumaila included China's CNPC [CNPET.UL] as a minority partner while the Exxon Mobil group included Malaysia's Petronas [PETR.UL]. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Michael Christie)