Berlian Laju eyeing Belanak gas transportation tender

Indonesia-listed sipping firm PT Berlian Laju Tanker (BLT) allocated US$300 million of capital expenditure to participate in tender for gas shipment from ConocoPhillips' Belanak field of South Natuna Sea Block B PSC.

BLT president director Widihardja Tanudjaja said on Tuesday that currently, the tender is in pre-qualification stage, adding that first gas transportation from the field is expected to start in 2012.

The South Natuna Sea Block B PSC covers an area of approximately 6,933 square miles (11,162 square kilometers), with water depths ranging from 164 feet to 328 feet (50 meters to 100 meters)in South China Sea. The Block was awarded in 1968 and has two producing mature oil fields and 16 gas fields in various phases of development.

The South Natuna Sea Block B PSC encompasses the Belida, Sembilang crude oil fields and the Belanak fields, which started crude production in 2004. The block also includes the Tembang, Belida, Keong and Kijing natural gas fields, which began production in 2002 to support sales agreements totaling 2.5 trillion cubic feet with Singapore and Malaysia.

ConocoPhillips is the operator of the block with 40 percent interest. Inpex Natuna Ltd. holds 35 percent interest and Chevron 25 percent interest. (*)