Govt to award 4 CBM blocks

Government may soon award four coal-bed methane (CBM) exploration areas to investors, a senior official at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said on Tuesday.

Director General of Oil and Gas Luluk Sumiarso told reporters that the contracts might be announced late this month during a CBM conference in Jakarta.

He did not give detail.

A Petromindo.Com source said that the blocks would be awarded to PT.Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam (PTBA) and Pertamina consortium for a CBM block in South Sumatra, Arrow Energy and PT.Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) consortium for a CBM block in South Sumatra, Santos and PGN consortium for a CBM block in South Sumatra and Pertamina and Shell consortium for a CBM block in East Kalimantan.

The government had earlier announced the award of first CBM block in South Sumatra to Medco-Ephindo consortium. (godang)