Total to farm-in ConocoPhillips' E. Indonesia exploration blocks

French oil, gas giant Total SA is in talks to farm in ConocoPhillips? exploration blocks in Eastern part of Indonesia.

An official from Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said that the French company would take 24.5 percent interest in Amborip VI and Arafura blocks offshore Maluku province.

The official, who declined to be named said that ConocoPhillips will retain the blocks? operatorship and 51 percent interest.

OPIC Corp., a unit of Taiwan?s national oil firm CPC has taken 24.5 percent interest in both blocks, the official said.

The official also said that Total has in principle agreed to acquire 60 percent stake at Warim onshore block onshore Papua from ConocoPhillips, which currently holds 80 percent stake.

Warim block, which is located in a remote area of Papua province is thought to contains billions of barrels of oil resources but exploitation had been hindered by forestry problems. (godang)