Indonesia Awards Two Oil and Gas Blocks

Indonesia awarded two oil and gas blocks of six auctioned by the government, deputy energy minister Arcandra Tahar told reporters on Monday.

Indonesia awarded South Jambi B gas block to Hong Kong Jindi Group Ltd and Banyumas exploration block to Indonesia's PT Minarak Brantas Gas.

Italian ENI SpA was the sole bidder for Makassar Strait gas block, but failed to meet terms and conditions, Tahar said. The block was formerly operated by Chevron (CVX).

ENI is still "interested" in Makassar Strait block, according to company official David Casini Ropa.

The government will reopen bidding process for the other blocks, but will re-evaluate which block should be auctioned again, officials said.

(Reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe)