World's third largest oil group Royal Dutch Shell on Monday submitted an initial bid for acquiring government's 34.01 per cent stake in oil refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.

"We have submitted the Expression of Interest," Shell India Vice President (Public/External Affars) Shailja Sharma told PTI in New Delhi.

Official sources said the world's largest oil and gas company by reserves and production Saudi Aramco too submitted the EoI.

Reliance Industries, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and Petronas of Malaysia too are expected to put in EoIs later in the day.

Monday is the last date for submission of the preliminary bid for acquisition of management control along with the government stake in HPCL.

Government is in the process of offloading about 34 per cent stake of its 51 per cent in HPCL and another five per cent stake would be offered to employees at a concession rate.

Post divestment, government's stake would be reduced to 12 per cent. It has mandated HSBC as global advisor for its stake sale in the country's second largest refining and marketing company, HPCL.