Indonesia to offer 15 oil blocks
Monday, September 17 2001 - 11:20 PM WIB
Speaking before a meeting with Vice President Hamzah Haz at the vice presidential palace on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan here, Purnomo was quoted by Antara as saying that he was reporting to Hamzah about the Indonesia Energy Conference, to beheld in Houston in the U.S. on September 23 and 24.
The conference will be attended by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
"During this opportunity, we will offer some 15 oil blocks to entrepreneurs from the United States or elsewhere, because Indonesia needs considerable capital to manage those blocks," Purnomo said.
The minister, however, did not name the new blocks to be offered.
Megawati is scheduled to leave Indonesia on Monday afternoon from Halim Perdanakusumah Airport for Washington, where she will meet with U.S. President George W. Bush on Sept. 19.
She will be accompanied by a band of ministers, including Indonesia's economic team, led by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti.
Purnomo, who will also attend the conference, said Indonesia would also offer various downstream energy opportunities at the conference. (*)