Geological Agency completes Asmat block survey in Papua
Wednesday, February 12 2014 - 09:58 AM WIB
The Geological Agency at the Minitry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) announced on Wednesday that it had completed geological and geophysical surveys on Asmat block, south of Jayawijaya Mountain in Papua.
The results of the survey were unveiled during a seminar titled ?Geoscientific Assessment of Hydrocarbon Potentials in Asmat block, Papua? in Jakarta. The survey indicates possibility of oil and gas reserve in the block.
"Since 2010, we have conducted a geological and geophysical surveys in a bid to to assess and construct (oil and gas resources) the Papua region," said Head of Geological Survey Center at the agency Adhi Wibowo said during the seminar..
He said, the Papua region is known as a frontier area on which only little geological and geophysical data has been available. The region is difficult to access due to its difficult terrains, steep mountains, dense forests, and marshland. No geological outcrop has been discovered there.
"In response to such natural conditions, the Geological Agency applied the survey method of passive seismic tomography to obtain subsurface geological models," he said.
Meanwhile, Acting Head of the Geological Agency R. Sukhyar said that the survey was financed by the state, while noting that the Geological Agency received funds from the state budget through the MEMR.
"Last year, we got funds amounting around Rp 80 billion for the acquisition of primary data on oil and gas, both from air and land," said Sukhyar.
In 2014, the budget allocation has been increased to Rp130 billion for the agency to conduct seismic surveys, especially in eastern Indonesia.
Group Coordinator of Upstream Oil and Gas Survey at the agency Rahmat Fahrudin, one of speakers in the seminar, said that the funds of Rp 80 billion is divided into two, namely the funds for airborne survey and the funds for passive seismic tomography survey or ground survey. Funds amounting to Rp 35 billion for seismic survey have been used to cover an area of 4,000 km2.
"The passive seismic tomography method means that we use the earthquake that comes from earth. Usually we use seismic method by using artificial earthquake or a detonator," he explained.
Meanwhile, Upstream Director at the Directorate General of Oil and Gas Hendra Fadly said the Asmat block is categorized as an open working area.
"The status of the block is open. Until now, no party is interested in the block,? he told Petromindo.com
Editing by Johannes Simbolon