PHE reviewing Iraqi oil, gas blocks

PT Pertamina Hulu Energi, a subsidiary of state oil and gas company PT Pertamina, is reviewing oil and gas blocks being offered by the Iraqi transition government. The review is done after Iraq Ambassador for Indonesia, Ismieal S. Muhsin told Pertamina that it can take part in Iraqi oil and gas block tender following the collapse of Khadafi regime.

?Certainly, Pertamina will review oil and gas blocks that were offered earlier (to Pertamina), in particular production blocks,? President Director of PHE, Salis Aprilian told Petromindo.com.

Earlier, the Iraqi government, during the late Khadafi regime, offered Western Desert and Tuba blocks to Pertamina. However, the political turmoil in Iraqi prompted Pertamina to refrain from entering Iraq.

Salis said Pertamina targets merger and acquisition in overseas blocks comprising 70 percent production blocks, 20 percent developing blocks and 10 percent exploration blocks.

Director for Upstream of PT Pertamina, Muhammad Husein admitted that Pertamina is reviewing oil and gas blocks in Iraq. ?It (review) is being done by our team,? Husein said.(godang)