By an OGJ correspondent
BANGKOK, July 26 -- Thailand's Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) received responses from 28 international firms seeking 21 blocks in the country's 20th petroleum concession licensing round. In the first monthly submission round that closed on July 16, DMS offered 14 onshore blocks and 7 tracts in the Gulf of Thailand.
DMF director general Krairit Nilkuha said the "overwhelming" interest in the round from petroleum exploration companies was primarily due to high oil prices.
Among bidders are Chevron Corp., Hess Corp., Total SA, BG Group, Mitsui Oil Exploration, PTT Exploration & Production PLC, Harrods Natural Resources, NuCoastal, Pearl Oil, and Adani Welspun Exploration Ltd.
DMF expects to name the preferred bidders over the next 2 months.
Companies will have until May 22, 2008, to submit bids for another 56 onshore blocks, covering a combined area of 211,687 sq km in scattered regions of the country, and nine blocks totaling 23,919 sq km offshore (OGJ Online, May 31, 2007).
