BP says not bidding for oil projects in Greenland

LONDON (Reuters) - BP (BP.L) said on Thursday it is not bidding for an exploration licence in Greenland amid media reports of its interest in the region.

"BP is not taking part in the bidding process," a company spokesman told Reuters. He neither confirmed nor denied earlier reports that BP is among 12 companies bidding to develop offshore exploration blocks in Greenland.

The news of BP's interest had come as UK oil explorer Cairn Energy (CNE.L) on Tuesday said it was encouraged by drilling results off Greenland's coast, despite failing to find oil. Sources close to the matter told the Guardian that both the Greenland government and BP had agreed it would be inappropriate for the company to be involved.

"With the Greenpeace ship already harassing Cairn off Greenland -- a company which has an exemplary safety record -- everyone realised it would be political madness to give the green light to BP," the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

(Reporting by Karolina Tagaris; Editing by Gary Hill)