By Aung Hla Tun
BANGKOK, March 6 (Reuters) - Myanmar will let foreigncompanies bid for full control of new offshore oil and gasblocks that could be offered in April, removing a requirementthat they take a local partner, a senior Energy Ministryofficial said.
"Arrangements are under way to invite bidding for about twodozen offshore blocks in April. The significance of this roundwill be that investors won't have to enter mandatory jointventures with local companies," said the official, who declinedto be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
The ministry invited bidding for 18 onshore blocks inJanuary.
"The closing date for that round is on March 16. After thatwe plan to open another round for about 25 offshore blocks,mostly deep-sea and some shallow, in April," the official said.
The bidders for the 18 onshore blocks are required to havelocal partners.
As a result of that requirement, about 100 local entitiesrushed to register with the ministry with a view to enteringinto a partnership with foreign companies.
"Only a few of these local companies have any experience inthe oil and gas industry. I think this requirement might havemade some foreign investors reluctant," the official said.
"Offshore blocks are more challenging and costly. In orderto make them more attractive, the requirement for mandatorypartnership with local companies will be dropped," he added.
He said international oil and gas giants such as Royal DutchShell PLC, Chevron Corp, ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil Corp were waiting to bid for the newoffshore blocks.
Official data shows Myanmar exported $3.50 billion worth ofgas, mainly to neighbouring Thailand, in the fiscal year toMarch 2012, compared with $2.52 billion a year before.
Proceeds in the current fiscal year were $2.77 billion bythe end of December.
Chinese state media have said a pipeline taking gas from offRakhine State in Myanmar to China should be operational by theend of May and that a parallel oil pipeline will start in 2014.
