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The winners are Twinza Oil Ltd, Tatex Thailand LLC, Salamander Energy (E & P) Ltd, Thai Petrochemical Industry Co Ltd, TPI Polene Power Co Ltd, Chevron Petroleum (Thailand) Co Ltd, Mitsui Oil Exploration Co Ltd, and Harrods Natural Resources (Thailand) Co Ltd.

 It also gave the greenlight to the Mineral Fuels Department and the Electricity Generating Authority's feasibility study of oil shale.

 Government spokesman Chaiya Yimwilai said the Cabinet specified an area of 104 square kilometre in Mae Sod district, Tak province, for the study which would take four years.

 Both agencies will survey the trail of the oil shale as well as assess the area to confirm the exact reserves and quality. The in-depth study would provide preliminary information for a mine design and the economic feasibility of oil shale whether it should be better used in power plants, refineries, petrochemical plants or cement plants.  

 The study would entail prelimiary environmental impacts of the mining as well as the public relations preparation. The complete study would be submitted to the Cabinet.

- The Nation