Cepu partnership to appraise gas discovery, drill exploration wells

ExxonMobil-Pertamina partnership will drill one well by mid-year to appraise gas discovery in the giant Cepu block, to be followed by two exploration wells later in the year, a Pertamina official said.

Pertamina Cepu CEO Hestu Bagyo told Petromidno.Com last week that Jambaran appraisal well will be drilled after current rig completed Banyu Urip development well. Bnyu Urip is the first oil field in Cepu, that is slated to start production later this year.

Hestu said the appraisal well will determine the size of gas and oil reserves in Jambaran and if the recoverable oil reserves reached at least 30 million barrels, it might be developed into production.

Jambaran discovery is estimated to host 1.3 TCF of recoverable gas.

Drilling is expected to start in June and would last for two months, he said.

After drilling the Jambaran well, the rig will drill exploration wells at Alas Tua West and Alas Tua East, he said. Both wells are gas prospects, he added.

Pertamina and Exxon Mobil each has 45 percent interest in Cepu bock. (godang)