PORT OF SPAIN, Sept 17 (Reuters) - An auction of

deepwater oil and gas exploration and production blocks in

Trinidad and Tobago has failed to attract significant interest

from foreign investors, with bids submitted for just four of the

26 areas on offer.

The bidding round closed on Wednesday with bids from China's

CNOOC for three areas and a consortium of smaller

energy firms for another block, Trinidad's Ministry of Energy

said.

With several auctions in Latin America this year and a

limited number of deepwater energy players, Trinidad is

realistic about the challenges of getting significant bids, said

junior energy minister Ernesto Kesar.

The twin-island Caribbean country, Latin America's

largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, has been pushing

producers, especially those offshore, to accelerate natural gas

output so it can increase utilization of its gas processing

capacity and exports.

The auction, which included blocks bordering Venezuela

and Guyana, follows a key separate agreement with Exxon Mobil ( XOM )

that will allow the U.S. oil major to explore a large

area equivalent to seven ultra-deepwater blocks and could bring

as much as $21.7 billion to the country if reserves are found.

The auction was originally expected to close on July 2,

but was extended to September after Trinidad's energy ministry

said potential bidders needed more time to assess the data.

Trinidad does not currently have any production from its

deepwater acreage. But Woodside Energy ( WDS ) is considering

the development of its Calypso gas discovery and BP and

Shell have recently completed seismic work at three

deepwater blocks.

Trinidad's deepwater and ultra-deepwater plays are

thought to have different geological formations.

(Reporting by Curtis Williams;)