Exxon stops exploration at Gunting block

By Godang Sitompul

ExxonMobil has temporarily stopped exploration activities in Gunting block, East Java, because of rejection from nearby residents.

Vice President of Public and Government Affairs Erwin Maryoto said that the firm, together with upstream authority BPMIGAS and Jombang Regent, are currently evaluating the rejection. And during the evaluation process, exploration activities have been stopped temporarily, Erwin said. "Maybe they are afraid of the potential case like the Lapindo mudflow," he told Petromindo.com.

He explained that the company had held communications with the local people regarding its activities, from which Exxon has so far completed about 30 percent of its commitment, but apparently not all. The rejection came mainly from them.

Exxon won the block in a tender in 2008 and secured the operatorship for 30 years. The block covers Jombang, Nganjuk, Mojokerto, Pasuruan and Probolinggo.

Editing by Dadan Wijaksana