Pertamina in talks to farm-in Semai PSC

State oil and gas firm PT Pertamina intends to farm-in 15 percent in Semai II block, offshore Papua, a company top executive said on Thursday.

Pertamina?s deputy director planning and evaluation Gunung Sardjono said Pertamina was negotiating with the block?s contractors. He refused to go into details.

Semai II offshore block covers approximately 3,300 square kilometers, located south of West Papua.

The block was awarded in November 2008, with US energy company Murphy Oil Corp operating the block with 33.33 percent interest. Thai firm PTTEP holds 33.33 percent, while INPEX Corporation of Japan controls the rest of interest.

During the first 3 years, the partners will conduct a 3D seismic survey and drill 3 exploration wells.

In Sept 2009, Murphy and its partners announced a drilling rig procurement tender. The rig will be operating in the deepwater of at least 2,200 meters and will start drilling in late 2010. (godang)