SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE UPSTREAM OIL AND NATURAL GAS REGULATORY AGENCY (BP MIGAS) WAS DISBANDED, THE SALE OF GAS FROM THE TANGGUH BLOCK ON THE SPOT MARKET HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING DELAYS. TENSION ERUPTED WHEN RADEN PRIYONO, THE HEAD OF BP MIGAS, CANCELLED THE OUTCOME OF A TENDER FOR THE SALE OF FOUR GAS SHIPMENTS LAST MAY. THIS WAS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SALE OF THE GAS FROM BINTUNI BAY, WEST PAPUA, WAS IN COMPLIANCE WITH BIDDING PROCEDURES APPROVED BY BP MIGAS.