Indonesia opens bidding for shale gas blocks
Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) has invited bids for a total of three oil-and-gas exploration rights of shale blocks.
According to a statement issued by the MEMR in early November, the direct bid of "Non-Conventional Oil and Gas Working Areas Year 2015" consists of the following three blocks:
- MNK Blora in East Java and West Java;
- MNK Batu Ampar in East Kalimantan; and
- MNK Central Bangkanai in Central Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.
This announcement comes after the approval of a new regulation in Indonesia. This new regulation expects to encourage investment in non-conventional oil-and-gas potential in the country, including in shale and coal-bed methane.
The country aims to put 21 oil and gas blocks out for tender in 2016, including both conventional and unconventional blocks. Additionally, Indonesia has set its 2016 gas production target at 1.1 million to 1.3 million barrels of oil per day (bopd) and its 2016 oil production target at 800,000 to 830,000 bopd.
Interested parties must submit their bids by 15 December 2015.
See tender announcement:
