Statoil remains active

By Godang Sitompul

Statoil Indonesia of Norway is still in the process of evaluating the results of seismic survey it has conducted in Halmahera II block, which spans waters off North Maluku and West Papua.

It has a 90 percent of participating interest and operatorship of the block. Manager of Govt & Public Affairs Wawan Koswara told Petromindo.com that the firm expects to take the decision on drilling campaign in the block within this year.

Wawan said the activities reaffirm the firm's commitment to Indonesia, following unsuccessful exploration program in Karama deepwater block.

"We remain very much committed to Indonesia. We are studying the survey results from Halmahera. In fact, we are also seeking to get a participating interest in a block in frontier area," said Wawan. He did not name the block.

Earlier this year, Statoil returned their Karama block in Makassar Strait, Sulawesi, to the government following three years of dry exploration.

Editing by Dadan Wijaksana