Houston-based independent Frontera Resources Corp. said November 16 it has been chosen as winner of the bidding for exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Moldova.

It said that both parties are set to conclude respective agreements, subject to the negotiation of suitable terms as outlined in the initial bidding process, and said the bidding was conducted by the Agency of Geology and Mineral Resources of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova.

Frontera describes its focus as the 'Greater Black Sea' region, but its sole interest to date is a 100% working interest in Block 12, an area of 5,060km² (1.3mn acres) in eastern Georgia in which it is a minor producer and exporter of crude oil and is also appraising the South Kakheti gas complex.

In its 1H 2016 results, released September 30, it reported a $10.9mn loss due to ongoing exploration efforts. It also accused Georgia of discouraging domestic gas exploration “in favor of preserving existing gas import monopolies”, Minoils.com writes.