Shell, Statoil eyeing stake at Natuna giant gas block

State oil and gas company Pertamina said on Wednesday that Royal Dutch/ Shell and Norway oil firm Statoil had expressed interest to take part in Natuna D Aplha giant gas block offshore Natuna.

?They have expressed interest to farm in the block,? said Tri Siwindono, Pertamina EP Director. Pertamina EP is an exploration arm of Pertamina.

The Natuna D-Alpha gas field, located approximately 850 miles from Java, was discovered in 1973 and has estimated recoverable hydrocarbon resources of 46 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas. ExxonMobil has a 76 percent share in the Natuna gas field PSC, with PT Pertamina holding the remaining 24 percent.

Exploitation of the resources is a complex technical challenge and high cost due to the large size of the field and a gas composition of approximately more than 70 percent carbon dioxide.

The government has warned ExxonMobil to proceed with the block?s development or risk losing the PSC. (godang)