Govt delays CBM blocks bidding round

Government said on Tuesday it would delay the opening of coal-bed methane (CBM) blocks bidding round for four months until August this year at the request of some prospective bidders.

R. Priyono, Upstream Director at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources told reporters that four of the six prospective bidders were asking at least three months time to conduct pilot project to test CBM reserves and the economics of the areas offered.

He did not give the name of the firms, but in an earlier interview he said that Australian firm Santos Limited, Shell and Pertamina are interested to acquire CBM concession.

The areas that would be offered in the bidding round would be located in Sumatra and Kalimantan. (bernard)