SKMigas urges ExxonMobil to replace Richard J. Owen

By Godang Sitompul

SKMigas, the caretaker upstream oil and gas authority, called on ExxonMobil Corp to seek replacement for Richard J. Owen as President Director of ExxonMobil Indonesia as the senior executive had cancelled the company?s earlier plans to sell its assets in Aceh.

In addition, ExxonMobil Indonesia?s commitment to increase production at the Cepu Block in Central Java is far from what has been expected, SKMigas Spokesman Hadi Prasetyo told Petromindo.com Thursday.

?Owen?s commitment is far from expectation. He had promised to increase production at the Cepu Block, but was not achieved. In addition, Exxon has cancelled (earlier) plans to release (sell) the Arun block, while in fact an Indonesian company had won (the bid for the asset) at the time,? Hadi said.

ExxonMobil Indonesia announced in August of 2011 of plans to sell its assets in Aceh after operating since 1970s. The assets include the Arun field, Arun satellite fields, and the North Sumatra Offshore field.

The company, however, said last year that it has decided to cancel the divestment plans. ExxonMobil could not yet be reached for comments.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak