Chevron, Anadarko in talks to jointly explore E. Java oil, gas block

US oil giant ChevronTexaco is in talks with another US firm Anadarko Petroleum over the possibility of the former to farm-in the latter's highly coveted exploration block offshore East Java, according to a source.

The source said Anadarko is offering ChevronTexaco farm-in opportunity in North East Madura III Block, which the company won from Indonesia?s fourth licensing round last year after competing heavily with ChevronTexaco.

Wahyudin Yudiana, president of PT. Caltex Pacific Indonesia, a unit of ChevronTexaco?s Indonesian upstream operations declined to comment on the matter.

Earlier, a local E&P firm Medco Energi E&P also said it was being offered interest in North East Madura III block by Anadarko in return with the latter?s entry in Medco?s S. Sumatran operations. (godang)