The eight blocks are Salawati (onshore and offshore Papua), Bangkanai (Central and East Kalimantan), Asmat (onshore Papua), Halmahera (onshore and offshore North Moluccas), Palmerah (onshore of South Sumatra), Bontang (onshore and offshore East Kalimantan), Biliton (offshore Bangka Belitung, South Sumatra) and Anambas (offshore East Natuna).

According to Iin, "We want to attract as much investment as possible to explore in Indonesia," and that the bids are a way of offering transparency in the bidding process where none existed before. Under the new system, firms select the areas they want but, before the bid is awarded, it is advertised to see if other companies interested. ConocoPhillips and Genting's bids will now be offered in open market first.

Ain confirmed that bids should not be in later than 31st October. Following that deadline, his ministry will vet any late bids and it would select the best for the Indonesian government to evaluate and approve. The successful bidders will be informed in November.

In related news, Indonesia is also expected to open 10 new oil and gas blocks for tender later this month. These areas include one in onshore Sumatra, one south of Banten, three offshore blocks off East Java, one offshore West Timor, two blocks off Tanimbar and, in Papua province, one block offshore and one onshore.