ExxonMobil absent, hearing of Cepu Block delayed
Friday, September 15 2006 - 12:03 AM WIB
The first hearing of a civil lawsuit against the government over Cepu Block at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday was delayed until Sept. 28 after ExxonMobil, as one of the accused was not represented.
Presiding judge Lief Sufijullah said the trial would go ahead without the presence of the U.S. company if it defied the court summons three times.
A group of lawyers grouped under the Advocacy Team to Seize back Cepu Block is suing the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, state oil company Pertamina, the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulator (BP Migas), the Minister of State Enterprises Office and ExxonMobil for irregularities in the process to award the contract.
ExxonMobil and Pertamina will have 45 percent working interest each in Cepu block with the remaining 10 percent will be distributed between East Java and Central Java regional governments. (godang)