Ethiopia: Government to auction former Petronas blocks

Ethiopia’s government has pre-empted plans by SouthWest Energy to take over blocks previously held by Malaysia’sPetronas and plans to offer them to other international companies. SouthWest, owned by Ethiopian TewodrosAshenafi, announced last October that it was taking over Petronas’ interests in five production-sharing agreements in theOgaden Basin. “We have agreed with Petronas officials amicably that there will be no transfer, and based on our agreement all the five blocks are now in the hands of Ethiopian government,” mines minister Sinkinesh Ejigu told reporters.