Government announces exploration blocks winners

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Thursday announced the winners of new exploration blocks that were offered through mechanism called ?direct offer?.

US oil major ConocoPhillips gets Amborip VI exploration block, an offshore exploration block located in Arafura Sea. Local firms Sumatera Persada Energy is awarded West Kampar onshore exploration block in Riau while Eri Guna is given Bunga Mas onshore block in South Sumatra, beating US oil firm Anadarko Petroleum and Canada?s Equatorial Energy in the process.

Singapore?s Commissioning Services Indonesia gets Bengkulu onshore block. Bumi Parahyangan Ranhill, a joint venture between Ilham Habibie, a son of former president BJ Habibie and Malaysian infrastructure and energy conglomerate Ranhill Berhad is given Citarum onshore block in West Java, beating rivals such as Thailand?s PTTEP, HK-based Pacific Oil and Gas in the process.

Local E&P rising star Star Energy gets East Kalimantan?s Sebatik block, while Energi Timur Jauh, a company linked to JSX-listed local firm PT. Energi Mega Persada (EMP) gets East Kengean block offshore East Java. The block is bordered with EMP?s gas producing Kangean block.

A little known Zaratex is given Lhokseumawe block in Aceh.

PT. Benuo Taka, an East Kalimantan regency -owned company, is given right to operate Wailawi onshore block for 6 years. East Kalimantan gas producer Vico Indonesia formerly operates the East Kalimantan block but then give it back to the government after the contract expired. The block produces small volume of gas and liquids.

Originally there are 13 blocks being tendered through direct offer mechanism but two blocks; North Bali II offshore East Java and Taritip offshore Makassar Straits was later dropped due to technical reasons and bidders for Amborip V block in Arafura Sea and North East Madura II did not return the documents.

Apart from direct offer blocks, the government also holds regular tender for 14 blocks, which winners would be announced late this year. Ministry?s senior official Novian Thaib told Petromindo.Com that significant oil firms such as Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Petronas had bought tender documents. Deadline for bid document submission is November. (godang)