117 Wells in Jambi yet to obtain permit, local govt claims

The Tanjung Jabung Regency administration in Jambi province said that there are many oil and gas wells which have not obtained the necessary permit, causing the state to lose potential revenue. The administration urged companies to quickly apply for the permit or the government would shut down the wells, Kompas reported on Monday.

Muklish, assistant for economy and development at the local administration, said that according to a survey there were about 161 oil drilling wells which have been in operation for more than four years in Geragi sub-district, Tanjung Jabung, however about 117 of them have yet to obtain the necessary permit.

He said that of the 44 wells which have obtained permit, 35 belong to PetroChina International Jabung Ltd. He suspected that the 117 wells which have no permit also belong to PetroChina because the wells were mostly located with the company?s concession area.

Vice President for Human Resources and General Affairs of PetroChina International Jabung Ltd, Maryke Pulunggono denied allegations that the company?s drilling wells have no permits or licenses, saying that the company has regularly submitted reports about the activities of the wells to the authorities.

Another company which is conducting oil and gas exploration in Jambi is PT Hexindo. Field manager of PT Hexindo, Imam Wahyudi, said the company has obtained land use permit to drill two wells within Tanjung Jabung Barat forest. (*)