Govt to tender 12 exploration blocks in January 2003
Monday, December 30 2002 - 05:13 AM WIB
The government will offer 11 oil exploration areas offshore East Java and one onshore South Sumatra for production sharing deals in January of 2003, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Monday.
The 12 blocks will be the first of two tender rounds planned for next year, Purnomo said without mentioning their names.
?I am optimistic with the tender judging from the locations of the blocks. They are found in strategic locations and are closer to consumers compared with those tendered previously which are situated in frontier areas,? Purnomo told reporters.
Meanwhile, the ministry?s exploration and production director Subyanto said on Monday that many investors had expressed interest to operate the 12 blocks.
In 2002, Indonesia opened tenders for 17 oil exploration areas, but only one (Muara Bakau PSC Block) was taken up. (alex)