ExxonMobil, TotalFinaElf studying tender for 11 exploration blocks

World oil and gas giants ExxonMobil Corporation and TotalFinaElf are still looking into the possibility of taking part in the government?s tender for 11 oil exploration areas, oil and gas director general Iin Arifin Takhyan said Monday.

?They are still studying tender documents,? Iin Arifin told reporters at his office.

Meanwhile, reports said that another U.S. oil giant, ChevronTexaco, was also studying the government offer for the 11 blocks. They were formally tendered late last month.

Iin said earlier that investors wishing to take part in the tender have to submit their bid documents no later than July 31 of 2003. He added that the government would hold meetings with interested investors between February 24 and July 22 to clarify matters relevant to the tender.

The oil and gas exploration blocks are located in Jambi (2), East Java (7), Central Java (1) and East Kalimantan (1). (godang/robert)

Province	Block Name
?Jambi	1. Merangin I Block
?	2. Merangin II Block
?East Java	1. South Madura Block
?	2. Bulu Offshore Block
?	3. Northeast Madura I Offshore Block
?	4. Northeast Madura II Offshore Block
?	5. North Bali I Offshore Block
?	6. North Bali II Offshore Block
?	7. East Kangean Offshore Block
?Central Java	1. Rembang Offshore Block
?East Kalimantan	1. Tarakan Offshore Block