Int'l E&P firms eyeing East Indonesia exploration blocks

A number of E&P companies are submitting proposals to the government to acquire exploration blocks in eastern part of Indonesia which are offered through direct offer mechanism.

A`Petromindo.com source said that Canadian firm Niko Resources is bidding for North Ganal block in Makassar Strait and Obi block in North Maluku. Norwegian firm Statoil is also bidding for Obi block, the source said.

Canadian firm Talisman Energy is bidding for North Semai and West Berau blocks in West Papua and US firm Murphy Oil is bidding for Semai IV block.

Local firm Karya Inti Petroleum is bidding for West Tanjung block onshore Central Kalimantan.

The government is offering 11 blocks through direct offer mechanism in the first bidding round of 2011 ad another 9 blocks through regular tender.

Other blocks that are offered through direct offer are: Ranau block in West Sumatra, Northeast Madura offshore East Java, Belayan and East`Simenggaris onshore East Kalimantan and Babar Selaru offshore Maluku. (godang)