Pertamina says Sarawak oil block to start production Nov

State oil and gas company PT Pertamina said crude production from SK 305 block offshore Sarawak, Malaysia would start production in November, one month later than scheduled.

CEO Karen Agustiawan said the block would produce crude at initial rate of 7,000 BPD.

Earlier, a Pertamina official said production from the block would peak at 20,000 BPD in 2011.

The block is operated under the Joint Operating Company (JOC) scheme, where Petronas has a 40 percent stake, while Pertamina and PetroVietnam have a 30 percent stake each.

Block SK305 is located in water depth of 150 metres in Balingian, offshore Sarawak, covering an area of about 16,400 sq kilometres. (bernard)