US/UK companies take Iraq oil sell tender

US and UK-based oil majors have taken the largest portion of Iraq's second post-Saddam crude oil sell tender, companies have confirmed.

A Royal Dutch/Shell spokesman said the major had been awarded two million barrels of Basra Light crude in the tender, which closed on Monday, along with US ChevronTexaco who both confirmed winning earlier.

The fourth cargo went to Swiss-based trading house Taurus, the first trader to win a cargo since the US invasion. Baghdad had expressed a preference for refiners in the tender.

It is the first time the British companies have been awarded Iraqi crude since the US-led invasion.

Iraqi officials are due to confirm the awards later on Wednesday.