Government wants Petronas to help develop East Natuna block
Friday, September 2 2016 - 02:15 AM WIB
Interim Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Luhut Panjaitan said on Thursday that Petronas has a CO2 separation technology which will be beneficial for the block.
He said that the government of Indonesia?s wish was conveyed during a meeting with visiting Malaysia?s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamid on Tuesday. He said that Petronas, which four years ago backed down from plan to have participating interest in East Natuna, has yet to provide a response.
The East Natuna block, formerly called D-Alpha, is estimated to hold up to 200 tcf of gas reserve, the largest gas reserve ever found in Indonesia. However, only 46 tcf of the gas is said to be recoverable due the high CO2 element contained in the reserve.
Luhut added that Pertamina needs a partner in developing the block after Total EP decided to back down from the project.
The government plans to issue the production sharing contract for the East Natuna block this month in a bid to help accelerate the development and production of the oil and gas block.
Kontan said that Pertamina will also team up with ExxonMobil?s subsidiary Esso Natuna Ltd, and Thailand?s PTT Exploration and Production. (*)