Myanmar to free up foreign control of some energy blocks: Official

BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Myanmar will let foreign companies bid for full control of new offshore oil and gas blocks that could be offered in April, removing a requirement that they take a local partner, a senior Energy Ministry official said.

"Arrangements are under way to invite bidding for about two dozen offshore blocks in April. The significance of this round will be that investors won't have to enter mandatory joint ventures with local companies," said the official, who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The ministry invited bidding for 18 onshore blocks in January.

"The closing date for that round is on March 16. After that we plan to open another round for about 25 offshore blocks, mostly deep-sea and some shallow, in April," the official said.