TotalFinaElf denies losing interest in new blocks tender

Indonesian unit of French Energy giant TotalFinaElf E&P Indonesie on Thursday strongly refuted report that it had lose interest to bid in the new 11 exploration acreages offered by the government due to Iraq crises.

?The report is not correct. The truth is we are still interested to participate in the bidding and are still evaluating the terms and condition offered by the government before we submit the bid,? said TotalFinaElf E&P Indonesie spokesperson Ananda Idris.

The Jakarta Post in its Thursday edition quoted Ananda as saying that ?French oil and gas giant TotalFinaElf might not proceed with bidding for 11 oil and gas blocks being offered by the Indonesian government because of the imminent war in Iraq.?

?Iraq crises have nothing to do with our decision. The reason we have not submit the bid is because closing date is still months ahead,? said Ananda.(alex)