Statoil, BP to start explorations in eastern Indonesia

By Ruli Setiawan

Production sharing contractors Statoil Halmahera II Ltd and BP West Aru Ltd are ready to conduct seismic surveys this year as part of their exploration activities in their respective concessions in eastern Indonesia

Upstream authority SKKMIGAS Papua and Maluku Representative Head Yoseph R. Karundeng said on Wednesday Statoil Halmahera II Ltd would conduct a 2D seismic survey along an offshore area of 5,800 kilometer square in Halmahera II Block in the middle of this year.

Also in the middle of this year, BP West Aru Ltd will conduct a 3D seismic survey along an offshore area of 9,000 kilometer square in West Aru I and West Aru II Blocks, which are located in regencies of Kepulauan Aru, Maluku Tenggara, Maluku Tenggara Barat, Maluku Barat Daya, and Kota Tual.

Yoseph said that before starting the explorations, both PSC holders accompanied by SKKMIGAS will launch their respective social campaigns to inform the local administrations and the general public, particularly the host communities where they will do the seismic surveys, on their planned explorations.

?We need the support from the local administrations and all other stakeholders in the areas, so that together with the PSC holders we can complete the explorations successfully. By discovering new reserves of oil and gas, we can also drive the local economies in the areas,? he said.

Editing by Benget Besalicto Tnb