Zambia demarcates new oil, gas blocs

The Zambian government has demarcated 77 blocs for exploration of oil and natural gas deposits as the southern African nation intensifies efforts to discover energy resources, the Times of Zambia reported on Wednesday. Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Richard Musukwa said the blocs have been demarcated for interested companies to bid for petroleum prospecting. He said the government, through, its geological survey department, carried out microbial prospecting technique to assess the potential of oil and gas in the country and that the technique had delineated areas with potential to host oil or gas.The ministry, he added, recently invited interested companies to bid for exploration in 31 blocs and that 27 bids were received and were currently being evaluated. The government has so far issued 17 petroleum exploration licenses to 12 companies that were currently carrying out explorations in seven of the country\'s 10 provinces.