Pertamina cleared for Iraq exploration

State oil and gas company Pertamina said it had received approval from Iraqi parliament over acquisition of Block-3 exploration block in the Western Desert of Iraq.

Upstream director Iin Arifin Takhyan said Iraqi parliament approved the block?s granting in October 20 this year and Pertamina is scheduled to start exploration activities in the block early next year.

Iin said Pertamina would allocate some US$ 18 million for the first phase of the exploration. (alex/godang)