Govt awards oil, gas, and CBM exploration blocks

Government on Tuesday formally awarded five oil, gas exploration blocks and one coal-bed methane (CBM) exploration to investors who bid for the blocks through a direct offer mechanism.

The CBM block is the first contract ever given to investor.

The five blocks are South Barito, which was awarded to Murphy Overeseas Ventures Inc.; Rangkas, which was awarded to Lundin Oil & Gas B.V.; South East Palung Aru, which was awarded to the consortium of CNOOC South East Asia Ltd and Petronas Carigali Overseas Sdn Bhd; West Timor, which was awarded to Eni Indonesia Ltd; and Kasuri, which was awarded to Genting Oil & Gas Ltd.

The CBM block, which is called Musi Banyuasin block onshore South Sumatra, is awarded to Medco-Energi Pasir Hitam Indonesia consortium. (godang)