Pertamina expects additional output of 40,000 boepd

State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina expects additional crude oil output of 40,000 boepd by the end of this year from two blocks in Malaysia: Sabah and Sarawak, said Vice President for Upstream Business Development Denie S. Tampubolon said.

The paper quoted Denie as saying Wednesday that Pertamina has acquired part of US oil and gas firm Murphy Oil?s interest in the Sabah and Sarawak blocks, which are operated by Petronas. ?(We) are now waiting for the approval from the Malaysian government,? he said.

Pertamina has acquired 30 percent stake in Murphy Sabah Oil Co and Murphy Sarawak Oil Co.

Denie said that overseas assets currently account for 11 percent of Pertamina?s total crude production.

Acting President Director of Pertamina M. Husen has said that the company?s oil production next year is expected to increase by 9 percent from this year?s estimated output of 520,760 boepd. (*)