Update: Govt to offer more oil, gas exploration blocks

Government said on Monday that it had prepared more oil, gas exploration block to be offered for tender in the third quarter of this year, as it predicted the first round offering it held this year will be a success.

?We are tentatively preparing six areas, namely offshore North Natuna in Riau province, onshore and offshore Bengkulu, offshore Java Sea, offshore South Sumba in East Nusa Tenggara, offshore and onshore Buton in Sulawesi and offshore and onshore bird?s head in Irian Jaya,? said Director General of Oil and Gas Iin Arifin Takhyan.

?Other than that, we are considering to open one more area offshore North Madura, as some investors had expressed interest to acquire the block,? he said.

The number was less than 10 blocks Iin previously announced to be offered in this year?s second round tender.

The government has recently offered 11 exploration blocks, mostly located offshore East Java. Iin said that this tender, which offered better incentives compared to previous ones, had received enthusiastic response from potential investors. The winners for the tender will be announced in July. (godang)