Total shows interest in shale gas development

Total E&P Indonesie has indicated its interest to develop shale gas blocks in Indonesia as part of its expansion in the mineral resources development in the country, a mining official has said.

Edy Hermantoro, the director for upstream operations at the director general of oil and gas of the energy and mineral resources ministry, told Petromindo.com on Wednesday that the French oil giant company?s executives had officially met the ministry?s senior officials to indicate the firm?s interest in developing shale gas deposits in Indonesia.

But no firm commitments had been made by Total and also Total did not show the exact location, Edy said. Shale gas is natural gas produced from shale. Total has been actively involved in the development of shale gas in the United States and Canada, he added

The energy and mineral resources ministry said earlier that it planned to auction a number of shale gas blocks without tender for development this year. The shale gas fields are mostly located in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

?The government will simplify the procedure and will prioritize companies who are willing to take exploration risks,? he said in January 26. (godang)