Petronas Carigali to drill Tanjung Jabung block in November

Petronas Carigali Tanjung Jabung Ltd, a unit of Malaysian state oil firm Petronas Bhd, planned to commence a drilling program at its Tanjung Jabung exploration block in Jambi in the middle of November 2004.

Through an advertisement, the company has invited interested parties to join the tender for the contract to drill one well, the Anggun-1, plus one optional well.

Tanjung Jabung block, which is located next to PetroChina-operated Jabung Block, formerly belonged to Wirabuana Petrolindo Ltd.

In 1997, Australian firm Cue Energy Resources Limited made a deal with Wirabuana to acquire a 76 percent interest in the block. The deal includes an obligation for Cue to carry out 800-km seismic survey and dril three exploration wells.

Cue has been frustrated in its efforts to explore the most prospective portion of the block area as it overlaps with a national park. The company sold back the working interest to Wirabuna in December 2001. (robert)