Exxon, Mitsubishi eyeing oil, gas blocks tender

U.S oil giant ExxonMobil Corp and Japanese giant firm Mitsubishi Corp are interested to participate in the government?s oil, gas blocks tender this year, an industry sources told Petromindo.Com on Monday.

?They are interested in eastern part of Indonesia, especially in Papua,? the source said without giving further details.

Currently, the government is offering 24 oil and gas blocks for investors to develop in the Second Round tender of 2010. The 24 blocks include 17 blocks offered through a regular tender mechanism and 7 blocks through direct offer mechanism.

The blocks are offered through regular tender in eastern part of Indonesia including Gorontalo Tomini, Tomini Bay I-III, SW Bird?s Head, Arguni I-II. For direct proposal?s blocks including Arafura Sea II.

Early last month, the ministry of energy and mineral resources said that the government would tender 50 oil and gas blocks and 10 CBM blocks this year. Thirty nine of the oil and gas blocks would be offered through a regular tender and the other 11 blocks through a direct proposal mechanism. (godang)