Iraq favours Shell, Total, KOGAS for gas fields

BAGHDAD, April 14 (Reuters) - Iraq will invite 15 companies before the end of the year to bid to develop three gas fields and Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L), Total (TOTF.PA) and South Korea's KOGAS (036460.KS) are favoured, an Iraqi oil official said on Wednesday.

"We are keen to select international companies with experience with gas and which have gas projects across the world," said Sabah Abdul Kadhim, head of the Oil Ministry's petroleum contracts and licensing directorate.

"Shell, Total and KOGAS will be at the top of the list because they have good experience in the gas industry and gas operations worldwide." (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Michael Christie)