Pertamina entitled to select Natuna?s partners
Thursday, October 18 2012 - 03:17 AM WIB
The government said no agreements as yet with the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUPEC) which has expressed interest in cooperating with state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina in managing the East Natuna block.
?No agreements whatsoever. It?s just an interest from Kuwait who said they have US$200 billion to spend overseas,? Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Rudi Rubiandini said, commenting on Pertamina?s intension to refuse KUPEC?s interest.
?When it comes to selecting partners in Natuna, it is indeed Pertamina?s authority. The government only facilitates and opens up opportunities for those who want to join.?
The interest of KUPEC in Natuna was revealed during a recent meeting between Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa and Kuwait Energy Minister discussing various cooperation opportunities.
Editing by Dadan Wijaksana