JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The government has kicked off first petroleum bidding round for 2013, auctioning off 16 oil and gas blocks.

Two blocks are offered in regular tender mechanism. They are East Seringapatam block (offshore East Nusa Tenggara) and East Abadi Block (offshore Maluku).

Based on the joint study done between government and some companies, 16 blocks are being offered in the direct proposal tender mechanism.

Among the 16 blocks are Merauke Bock onshore Papua, Bird’s Head Block offshore West Papua, South Aru Block offshore Maluku, West Abadi block offshore Maluku, and North East Madura VI block offshore East Java.