SKK Migas asks permit to use foreign vessel at Conoco?s Belida field

By Godang Sitompul

Upstream authority SKK Migas is applying for the Foreign Vessel Utilization (IPKA) permit with the Ministry of Transportation for the Belida field in the South Natuna Sea Block B PSC offshore Natuna Islands, operated by ConocoPhillips Indonesia.

Conoco planned to replace the Floating Storage Offshore (FSO) Intan now being used at the field with a new one owned by Multi Line Shipping. The new FSO is expected to start operation in 2016, SKK Migas? Head of Operation Support Division Baris Sitorus told Petromindo.com on Thursday.

While waiting for the new FSO to arrive, SKK Migas is also applying IPKA for Conoco to continue using FSO Intan through 2016.

Conoco confirmed that it is waiting for the Ministry of Transportation to issue IPKA for a new FSO which is expected to arrive in 2016.

?The FSO Intan is too old now. We have found one to replace it. The vesssel will be delivered by Multi Shipping Line,? ConocoPhillips Indonesia?s spokesperson Joang Laksanto told Petromindo.com.

South Natuna Sea Block B PSC is operated and 40 percent owned by ConocoPhillips in partnership with Inpex and Chevron which have interest of 35 percent and 25 percent, respectively. Aside from Belida, the block have several other fields, namely South Belut, Belanak, Tembang, Hiu, Kerisi, North Belut and Bawal.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon