http://www.newagebd.com/2009/oct/06/front.html#10
OFFSHORE GAS BLOCKS
Myanmar warns ConocoPhillips not to take over Block 11
Staff Correspondent
US company ConocoPhillips wants to discuss with the foreign ministry the disputed areas in the two blocks for which the company was selected, its officials told Petrobangla on Monday.
Four officials of ConocoPhillips South Asia held a meeting with the Petrobangla officials, who were led by chairman Muqtadir Ali, to discuss the signing of the Production Sharing Contracts for Deep Sea Blocks 10 and 11.
The company痴 officials informed Petrobangla of a letter sent by Myanmar that had cautioned the company not to take over offshore Block 11, claiming that it was located within Myanmar痴 maritime boundary, said sources present at the meeting.
Besides, India has recently claimed that some of the areas of block 10 had overlapped India痴 maritime territory.
禅he ConocoPhillips・officials want to discuss the issue with the foreign ministry. We have taken steps so that a meeting can be held this week,・said an official, adding that the amount of disputed area was not significantly large.
The government had earlier approved the awarding of two blocks out of eight to the company selected through bidding on condition that no exploration would be conducted in the Bangladesh areas which were being claimed by India and Myanmar.
Officials of the Petrobangla and ConocoPhillips also discussed different clauses of the contract and will continue the discussion throughout the week.
前nce both parties come to an agreement on the disputed area issue and other clauses of the contract, the date for the initialing of the contract will be fixed,・said the official.
Petrobangla is also likely to discuss the signing of a contract for Shallow Sea Block no 5 with Tullow on September 14.
Petrobangla is going for talks with the companies at a time when some rights groups, academics and left-leaning political parties are protesting against the government痴 decision to award the blocks to foreign companies with a clear provision for gas export in the contracts.