The agency will lease out 30 perimeters of around 1,000 square kilometers each, agency president Gheorghe Dutu told MEDIAFAX, adding the institution is waiting for a new royalty system to be approved.
He said US, Canadian and British oil companies have already expressed interest in exploration licenses.
The new royalty system, drafted by the mineral resources agency and the Finance Ministry, is expected to be completed in August and will be debated in Parliament in the fall session.
Romania cashed royalties of RON1.64 billion (EUR370 million) last year, of which RON1.36 billion from oil companies. The bulk of royalties are paid by Romgaz and OMV Petrom.