Pertamina expedites exploration in Sudan block

State-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina would accelerate the drilling of oil wells in Sudan to help the Sudanese government realize its plan to drive up oil production to 800,000 barrels oil per day (bopd) in 2008, Investor Daily reported on Monday.

 

Chairman of Pertamina’s Operational Team for Overseas Oil Well Development Suharyanto said Jakarta last week that the drilling of wells in Block 13, which was originally scheduled for early 2009 would be expedited to late 2008.

 

"We are now carrying out seismic study, which will be followed by the drilling of two wells," Suharyanto said, adding the companies that team up to develop the block had agreed to invest US$25 million to drill two exploration wells in Sudan's Block 13.

 

Pertamina has a 15 percent stake in the block and Chinese firm CNPC 40 percent. Other participants are Sudapet Co. Ltd.(15 percent), Dindir Petroleum International (10 percent), Express Petroleum &Gas Co.Ltd and Africa Energy. Suharyanto did not specify the ownership of Express Petroleum and Africa Energy(*)