ConocoPhillips starts E. Indonesia deepwater drilling campaign

Indonesian unit of US oil, gas firm ConocoPhillips has spudded first exploration well at its deepwater Eastern Indonesian block this month, an official with upstream oil, gas authority BPMIGAS said.

The company has spudded Aru-1 exploration well in Amborip VI PSC in Arafura Sea on November 13, 2010 with targeted total depth of 8,220 feet MD, Indro Purwaman Hardi, BPMIGAS Chief Representative for Kalimantan and Sulawesi area told Petromindo.Com.

Indro said the rig, which is currently drilling Aru-1 will move to drill Mutiara-1 well in the adjacent Arafura Sea Block, which is also operated by ConocoPhillips.

ConocoPhillips has 51 percent interest in Amborip VI with French giant Total SA and Taiwan?s OPIC equally share the balance. The company holds a 75.5 percent interest in Arafura Sea PSC with the balance also held by Total. (bernard)