ConocoPhillips? FSO re-tender attracts 7 bidders

Seven national shipping companies have registered to partipate in the retender of the contract to provide floating storage and offloading (FSO) for US energy firm ConocoPhillips, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Wednesday.

Among the bidders are PT Pertamina Tongkang, Tasik Madu, PT Trada Maritim and PT Berlian Laju Tanker (BLT).

The number represents a sharp drop from the 30 companies who participated in the first tender. This indicates the tender's requirements are too tough for the national companies to meet, the newspaper said.

"We take part in the tender by establishing a consortium with a foreign company that has a track record that meets the tender's requirements,? said PT Trada Maritim's president commissioner Darmansyah Tanamas said.

In January, Conoco called for bids to procure an FSO to replace its existing FSO Intan. But, only two of the 30 participants passed pre-qualification, forcing the firm to retender the project.

FSO Intan is being operated at Belida field, South Natuna Sea Block B PSC. ConocoPhillips is the operator of the block with a 40 percent interest. Inpex Natuna Ltd. holds 35 percent interest and Chevron 25 percent interest. (*)