Anadarko Petroleum and Videocon Industries, who want to dilute 20 percent of their holding in a natural gas block in Mozambique, may seek expression of interest from some more players, reports indicate.

A consortium of ONGC and OIL has reportedly offered over $5 billion for the 20 percent stake. However, reports suggest that some global energy firms are prepared to pay a higher amount for the stake.

The bid put by ONGC is not exclusive and the highest bidder shall take the cake," a member of the consortium aware of the development told.

The operators of the block needs a partner with experience in development of large-scale LNG facility, which ONGC and Oil India lacks, unconfirmed reports indicate. So, chances of the Indian consortium getting a 20 percent stake in one of world's largest gasfields looks bleak, reports suggest.

It may be noted that if ONGC fails to win the Mozambique field stake, it would be the second unsuccessful attempt by it to secure equity in the project.

Meanwhile, ONGC may also lose its bid to acquire ConocoPhillips's 8.4 percent stake in the Kazakhstan oil asset, Kashagan. This is because Kazakh government may exercise its pre-emptive rights to buy the stake in the country's biggest oilfield for $5 billion before selling it to a Chinese firm.