Pertamina carries out 3-D seismic survey in Tuban

Joint Operating Body (JOB) between state owned oil and gas company Pertamina and PetroChina East Java will soon carry out a three-dimension seismic survey to find out oil deposits in its 180-kilometer concession area in Rengel district of Tuban regency, East Java, Antara reported on Monday.

Abdul Mutalib, the senior superintendent of the joint operation body, said in Tuban last week that the seismic survey would be begun in the middle of this year. "With the three-dimension seismic survey technology, the existing oil deposits could be maximally detected," he added.

According to him, the cost of the seismic survey including the payment for between 500 and 1,000 workers hired for the purpose will reach about US$3 million.

The joint operation body has also carried out a seismic survey in several areas in Sukosari district in Tuban. The production in this area has reached about 13,000 barrels per day.

Pertamina has cooperated with PetroChina to develop the oil field since July 2002. Before cooperating with China, Pertamina developed the oil field in cooperation with Trend East Java LRD in 1988, Santa Fe in 1993 and Devon Tuban in 2001.

The joint operation body has the right to carry out exploration and production activities in the Tuban oil field for 30 years beginning in 1988. (*)