Statoil kicks off Indonesia drilling campaign

By Alexander Ginting

Norwegian oil and gas firm Statoil has spud its first deepwater exploration well in eastern Indonesia earlier this month with the aim of drilling three wells this year, the company?s Indonesian operations official said.

?Currently we are drilling the first out of three exploration wells in Karama, with the first well called Anoman,? Ratna Novanti, Statoil Indonesia GM Government and Public Affairs told Petromindo.Com on Friday.

Ratna said that the three wells drilled will be located in an area with water depth of 1,500-2,000 meters. The wells will be drilled using GSF Explorer drillship, which is employed on long-term basis by a number of PSC contractors located in Makassar Straits, popularly known as Makassar Straits Explorers Consortium.

Statoil is the operator of Karama block, which is located offshore West Sulawesi with 51 percent interest, with the balance held by state oil and gas firm Pertamina. The block was awarded to the partnership in 2007.

Editing by David Mustakim