Govt targets shale gas blocks award this year

Government is targeting to award shale gas exploration blocks this year in a bid to boost the country?s gas reserves.

The blocks will be awarded without tender, Eddy Hermantoro, Upstream Director at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said on Wednesday.

He did not disclose the number of exploration areas that will be awarded.

Currently, the ministry is teaming up with several companies to map the shale gas potential in Indonesia, he said.

He said shale gas potential areas in Indonesia are Sumatra and Kalimantan.

?The government will simplify the procedure and will prioritize companies who are willing to take exploration risks,? he said. (giok)