Govt to offer gas potential in S. Kalimantan to investors

The government plans to offer newly discovered gas potential in Kampung Bali, Berambai district, Barito Kuala regency in South Kalimantan province, to investors.

The gas potential was discovered on November 22 of this year when the mud was gushing out of one of the holes drilled to find water at a depth of 138 meters.

Director General for Oil and Gas of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Luluk Sumiarso said in Jakarta Thursday that the status of the gas potential in the region is under study. ?If it (the gas potential) is located outside the existing tender block, then the investor can propose a joint study and we will tender it. The investor will have the privilege,? he was quoted by Investor Daily a saying Thursday.

Meanwhile, head of geology division of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Bambang Dwiyanto said that a study on the gas concentrates has shown that none of the elements of the gas spouted from the hole is dangerous because they are still below the minimum health standard limit.

Bambang said that the hole spouted not only the mud but also gas with strong pressure. The mud spouted has the temperature of 26 C.

The elements of gas which was gushing out of the hole include methane (between 22.2 percent and 26.6 percent), carbondioxide (0.45-0.75 percent) and nitrogen (around 80 percent). (*)