Iraq plans to bring forward a second bidding round for major energy contracts, a spokesman said on Thursday

It may also give foreign firms another chance to bid for oilfields that were not awarded during an energy auction this week.

The country's second major bidding round for energy deals "was supposed to be at the end of the year but we have moved it up. We will announce the new date. It could be in the next few months," said Oil Ministry spokesman Asim Jihad.

Jihad also said that the Iraqi government planned to develop two major gas fields, Akkas and Mansuriyah, on its own after neither field was awarded to a foreign bidder in Tuesday's auction. - Reuters