Peru agency says energy exploration facing delays

LIMA Dec 21 (Reuters) - Peru's petroleum agency said on Monday that environmental and municipal licensing problems have prevented work from starting on 15 petroleum exploration lots, even though President Alan Garcia wants to turn the Andean country into a net energy exporter.

Lots facing delays include those of Canada's Talisman (TLM.TO), Brazil's Petrobras (PETR4.SA) (PBR.N), Spain's Repsol-YPF (REP.MC) and Argentina's Pluspetrol, Perupetro's chief Daniel Saba said, according to state news agency Andina.

"We are extending the deadlines for the start of exploration, as these delays aren't caused by the companies," he said.

Saba called on the mines and energy ministry and local officials to speed up licensing.

Perupetro granted about 30 oil concessions in 2007 and 2008, but its efforts have been hindered by environmental and indigenous groups that oppose drilling in the Amazon basin.

Auctions of concessions slated for this year were delayed by lower global oil prices and a backdrop of controversy over the government's natural resources policy. (Reporting by Patricia Velez; editing by Jim Marshall)