Survey to find oil in Gorontalo province in progress: Governor

State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina together with other parties are currently carrying out a survey to explore the oil and gas potentials of Gorontalo province, Bisnis Indonesia newspaper reported in its Tuesday edition.

There are indications that Gorontalo has huge oil and gas reserves on its offshore, the province's Governor Fadel Muhammad said in Jakarta on Monday.

“Pak Katili (former director-general for general mining) has been leading the surveys,” Fadel told Antara news agency on the sidelines of the launching of Occupational Health and Safety program by President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the State Palace.

Ministry of energy and the state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina have been conducting surveys after several geologists including Prof. Katili found the potential oil and gas reserves in the province, Fadel said.

The exploration work, according to Fadel, will begin at Luwuk area -- where the probable reserves are located -- once the surveys are completed.

He also expressed appreciation for President Megawati Soekarnoputri's support for the Gorontalo administration’s efforts to develop the new province. (*)