ExxonMobil still evaluating post drilling results at deepwater blocks

By Godang Sitompul

ExxonMobil Indonesia, a local subsidiary of US-based oil and gas company Exxon Mobil is still carrying out a post-drilling evaluation following negative results of four wells it drilled last year in Surumana and Mandar blocks, Makassar Strait.

?After drilling 4 wells in deepwater sea without finding sufficient commercial reserves, we are now undergoing evaluation to determine our next step,? VP Exploration at ExxonMobil Indonesia Asep Sulaiman told petromindo.com.

Exxon Mobil Indonesia operates two blocks in Makassar Strait: Surumana block, for which a contract was signed in September 2006, and Mandar block, which was secured in 2007.

Asep declined to comment on suggestions that the company would return the two blocks to the government following the unfavorable drilling results. ?The evaluation is still underway, once it is completed then we?ll decide what to do next."

Editing by Dadan Wijaksana