Total starts deep water drilling in Mentawai

French firm Total EP Indonesie (TEPI) through its local unit Total E&P Indonesia Mentawai B.V. (TEPIM) said on Monday that it will commence in the second week of July 2014 its deep water drilling of Rendang 1X well in the exploration block of Bengkulu 1- Mentawai in Bengkulu.

The well is located offshore Bengkulu Province, at about 75 km off shoreline Bengkulu, in approximately 1,000 meter water depth in an area with strong seismicity. This well will be drilled by Ocean Monarch Semi-Submersible rig.

According to Hardy Pramono, General Manager of TEPIM, the well will be drilled in about 90 days using deep water technology. "This challenging exploration demonstrates Total determination to find new opportunities in Indonesia and Total appreciates the efficient support of the Central Government and the Provincial Government of Bengkulu," he said.

Hardy added that this first drilling, in western side of Sumatera, is an important milestone for further exploration in deep offshore Bengkulu area, since this is the first that exploration for hydrocarbon is carried out in that region.

The block is 100 percent owned by TEPIM which was awarded with the block contract on October 2012.

Editing by Benget Besalicto ST