Edison bids for 100 pct of Egypt Abu Quir field

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's second-biggest power group Edison (EDN.MI) is bidding for 100 percent in Egypt's Abu Quir gas field as it aims to boost its own oil and gas supplies, Edison Chief Executive Umberto Quadrino said on Sunday.

"We are bidding alone. If we win, we will automatically get 100 percent of Abu Quir," Quadrino told reporters on the sidelines on the International Energy Forum.

Egyptian Oil Minister Sameh Fahmy said on Saturday Edison and Britain's BG (BG.L) were the main competitors in bidding for Abu Quir which reserves amount to between one trillion cubic feet (tcf) and 2.5 tcf, according to various estimates.

Under Egyptian law, the tender winner will set up an operating company in which the government will have a 50 percent stake, Edison executives said.

If Edison wins it may then sell part of its stake to other investors, Quadrino said.

Fahmy said on Saturday that "Edison may have a very good deal in Egypt soon".

Quadrino said he will wait for an official announcement.

Edison, which is jointly controlled by the French power giant EDF (EDF.PA) and Italy's major regional utility A2A (A2.MI), is also one of the 35 companies qualified by Iraq's government to bid in the first licensing round for oil and gas contracts.

Quadrino said Edison's planned push in Iraq was part of the group's goal to cover 15 percent of its fuel needs with own resources.

(Reporting by Svetlana Kovalyova)