Niko in serious talks to acquire Marathon?s blocks

By Godang Sitompul

Niko Resources is pursuing serious discussions with Marathon Energi to acquire two blocks owned by Marathon in Makassar Strait, Sulawesi.

?There have a series of serious discussions between Niko Resources and Marathon to acquire Bone Bay and Kumawa Blocks owned by Marathon Energi in Makassar Strait,? a reliable source told Petromindo.com in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Separately, Eddy Hermantoro, upstream director at the oil and gas directorate general of the ministry of energy and mineral resources, said that Marathon had asked for opening of data room. ?They apparently have asked for a permission to open data room,? he told Petromindo.com.

Previously, it was reported in January that U.S. oil, gas firm Marathon Oil Corp. had planned to farm out 30 percent of its participating interest in Kumawa block located in Southeast Maluku waters. The plan has drawn interest from a number of oil and gas companies.

Eddy Hermantoro said that the potential buyers had requested the government to formally open 'data room' of Kumawa block, But at that time, he refused to mention the names of the potential buyers.

Reliable sources said that the four companies were ConocoPhillips, Talisman, Husky and Hess.

In May last year, Marathon was also reported to have been seeking to farm out part of interest in Bone Bay offshore exploration block in Sulawesi. The company was willing to give up the block's operatorship and would only retain non-operating interest.

Currently, the company holds 55 percent operating interest in the block with the balance held by Canadian firm Niko Resources.

Editing by Benget Besalicto Tnb.