Italy picks winners of gas stock auction-sources

MILAN, May 7 (Reuters) - A key Italian government commission picked winning bids on Wednesday in an auction to convert four depleted gas fields into storage sites but would not immediately announce the winners, said sources familiar with the situation.

The technical commission of the Economic Development Ministry will send the winning bids to the ministry's top officials to decide, they said.

"The commission has met and discussed all the items on today's agenda, including gas storage auction results," said one source at the ministry, which oversees energy issues.

"It has expressed its opinion about which offers were the best and it is now up to the heads of the general directorate to make a final decision," the source said, declining to name the proposed winning bids.

Rome started the auction of the depleted gas fields run by oil and gas major Eni (ENI.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) in late 2006 in a drive to boost stored stocks. Italy was hit by a gas shortage earlier that year because of an unusually cold winter and reduced imports from Russia.

Gaz de France GAZ.PA and Italy's biggest utility Enel (ENEI.MI: Quote, Profile, Research) were among the bidders. Those making offers presented a total of 15 projects.

The ministry is expected to issue a statement on Thursday with some details but will not reveal the selected bids yet, said another source at the ministry. (Reporting by Svetlana Kovalyova; editing by James Jukwey)