KIEV, May 10 - Ukraine is likely to award tenders to two Western energy companies for potentially large shale gas fields as Kiev tries to reduce its dependence on gas imports from Russia, Reuters reported Thursday, citing a government source.

Anglo-Dutch Shell and Chevron of the United States are likely to win the right to explore and develop the fields, seeing off rival bids from Italy's Eni, Exxon Mobil and Russia's TNK-BP, the source told Reuters.