Murphy to start Papua drilling campaign Q4 2010

US oil, gas company Murphy Oil Corp will start drilling its Semai II Block offshore West Papua late 2010, a tender announcement filed by the company on Tuesday shows.

According to the drilling rig procurement tender announcement, the rig will be operating in the deepwater of minimum 2,200meters.

The block was awarded in November 2008. Murphy is the block operator with 33.33 percent interest. Thai firm PTTEP holds 33.33 percent in the block and INPEX Corporation of Japan holds another 33.33 percent interest.

During the first 3 years, the partners will conduct 3D seismic survey and drill 3 exploration wells.

Separately, a senior official with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said that Murphy is seeking to farm-out part of its interest in South Barito PSC exploration block, onshore/offshore South Kalimantan. The official did not disclose the percentage of interest Murphy planned to farm-out. (godang)