Govt to open bidding round, terminate expired contracts

Government said on Thursday it would open bidding round for 20 new exploration blocks late April or early May as part of the program to offer 40 new blocks this year.

Director General of Oil and gas Luluk Sumiarso told reporters that the 20 blocks included blocks that were offered in previous bidding round but failed to attract bidder.

Luluk also said government would terminate contracts of 12 exploration blocks in Indonesia soon due to contract expiry, but he did not give names.(godang)