PHE begins drilling of Parang-1 well

By Godang Sitompul

Petromindo

PT Pertamina Hulu Energi Nunukan (PHE Nunukan), a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), spudded on December 27 the Parang-1 exploration well in Nunukan block, North Kalimantan, earlier than the initial schedule of December 29.

General Manager of PHE Nunukan, Alfian Husein told Petromindo.com that the drilling program is expected to be completed in about 48 days with a target depth of 10,400 feet. The company will take another 40-50 days for drill stem tests.

The company deploys the 2000 HP Raniworo jack-up rig owned by IDX-listed oil and gas drilling contractor PT Apexindo Pratama Duta Tbk for the drilling program.

Plan of development for the Nunukan block was approved earlier this year, under which the block will produce 60,000 mmscfd of gas and 1,800 bpd of oil starting in 2019. The block is operated by PHE Nunukan with a 66.67 percent interest. It partners with Indian firms Videocon Industries (20.83 percent) and Bharat Petro Resources Ltd. (12.50 percent).

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak