The Indonesian government will offer 24 new oil and gas blocks as well as nine coal bed methane areas later this month in an effort to boost output of the fuels, a government official said Tuesday.

"The number of the blocks could be higher," Evita Legowo, the director general of oil and gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources told reporters.

Legowo said the government will offer East Asahan, North Kuantan, Indragiri Hilir, East Jabung, SW Sumatra III, SW Sumatra IV, North Merak, West Kangean, East Bangkanai, West Sebuku, SE Mandar, Gorontalo Basin I, Gorontalo Basin II, Gorontalo Basin III, Gorontalo Basin IV, SW Bird's Head, Arguni I dan Arguni II blocks via a regular tender process.

The Gurita, Sembilang, Kisaran II, South Betung, Sumbagsel dan Arafura Sea II blocks will undergo a direct bidding process, Legowo said.