Pertamina to get first right of refusal

By Godang Sitompul

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has drafted a new regulation which provides state-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina the first right of refusal in relation to the acquisition of oil and gas assets whose contracts have expired.

This was said by Director General of Oil and Gas Evita Legowo to Petromindo.com on Monday. She, however, said that the first right of refusal for now will only be given to Pertamina. ?The Minister Regulation draft for the time being will only be for Pertamina,? Evita said responding to appeals from national oil and gas players for them to also be awarded with the first right of refusal in the bid to acquire oil and gas assets whose contracts have expired from the government.

?We want to participate if given the opportunity to acquire oil and gas blocks whose contracts have expired such as the Mahakam Block. Why is the opportunity only given to Pertamina? We?re also a national company,? lamented a senior executive at a national private owned oil firm who requested for anonymity.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak