Four companies interested in North Sokang block

By Febry Silaban

Four companies have submitted letters expressing interest to farm in the North Sokang block in Natuna Sea, Riau Islands, owned by Indonesia-focused exploration firm Black Platinum Energy, according to an industrial source.

The source told Petromindo.com that four companies are PT Saka Energi Indonesia, a subsidiary of state-controlled gas distribution firm PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk. (PGN); US-based oil firm ConocoPhillips; SGX-listed KrisEnergy Ltd.; and ASX-listed AWE Ltd.

Black Platinum acquired 1,600 km of new 2D seismic in the North Sokang PSC in early 2012. The company has also drilled two exploration wells named Dara 3 and Dara 4 and has been successful in discovering 920 bcf of dry gas. The company has a 100 percent interest in the block, which was awarded in late 2010.

In mid-2014, the firm?s CEO W. Judiana Ardiwinata told Petromindo.com that there is still a possibility of finding gas potential of approximately 2 to 3 tcf, if the company drills additional wells.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon