KIEV, APRIL 23 – Four major international oil companies, such as ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, Eni S.p.A, and TNK-BP of Russia, submitted bids to tap Ukraine’s vast shale gas resources, a senior government official said Monday.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Eduard Stavytskiy said ExxonMobil, Shell and TNK-BP submitted bids for exploration and development of Yuzivska gas deposit in Donetsk and Kharkiv regions in eastern Ukraine.