Bumi Sidoarjo has gas reserves, already exploited by Pertamina
Tuesday, February 27 2001 - 04:30 AM WIB
Sidoarjo district in East Java has proven itself that it has rich natural gas reserves. State oil and gas company Pertamina, through UPPDN V, in cooperation with PT Lapindo Brantas, has exploited gas from Sidoarjo for the past three years.
Currently Pertamina operates three gas wells in Sidoarjo. But according to field research conducted by Sidoarjo mining office, Pertamina could drill up to 24 gas wells to tap gas reserves in the area.
The head of Sidoarjo mining office, Bambang Sutomo, said that with 24 wells, gas in Sidiarjo will be enough to be exploited for the next 15 years.
According to Bambang, the Sidoarjo administration must be proactive in demanding their rights over royalties paid from the exploitation of natural resources, including gas.
He also noted that the administration should also promote the district's other natural resources potentials, including oil potentials located in the Madura Straits and also in Tanggulangin, Sidiarjo
But Bambang said oil reserves in Tanggulangin was relatively small, and therefore it would be not economical to explore for oil in the area. (*)