South Madura PSC stops seismic survey due to protest
Friday, August 3 2007 - 03:56 AM WIB
PT South Madura Exploration Company (SMEC) Pte Ltd has decided to temporarily stop 2D seismic survey in Bangkalan, East Java due to mounting protest raised by local residents, Media Indonesia reported Friday.
The decision was taken by the company together with the Bangkalan regency administration.
“For the time being, there should not be any activities in the field until further notice,” said Bangkalan Regent Fuad Amin in Bangkalan on Thursday.
Fuad added that PT SMEC had also violated the MoU by handing over the right to conduct exploration activities to PT Elnusa, he said.
Oil and gas upstream authority BPMIGAS' spokesperson Amir Hamzah confirmed the suspension of the 2D seismic survey, saying the protesters rallied in front of the firm's base camp, forcing the firm to stop activities.
The motive of the protesters was still unclear, Amir told Petromindo.Com.
SMEC is the operator of South Madura PSC onshore East Java. SMEC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian upstream firm Cooper Energy and has stake with 30 percent interest. Nations Petroleum has 60 percent and the remaining 10 percent is owned by local firm PT Eksindo.
“The South Madura 2D onshore seismic survey commenced in mid July 2007. The survey will be used to mature further prospects for drilling,” Cooper Energy said in quarterly report on July 23, 2007. (Godang)