Total strikes gas offshore E. Kalimantan

French energy giant Total SA announced Tuesday a new gas discovery between the Tunu and Peciko fields in the offshore Mahakam block, East Kalimantan.

Total said the Tunu Great South-1 well, which was drilled in very shallow water 8 kilometers southwest of the southernmost platform in the Tunu field, encountered a number of gas reservoirs that confirm the existence of an extension of the southern zone of Tunu.

?A production test will be conducted to confirm the find, and further wells will be drilled in the area to appraise its potential. The new resources could come on stream by 2009,? the company said in a statement.

Total operates the Mahakam block on behalf of the 50-50 Total-Inpex joint venture.

Total is the country?s leading gas producer. The company produced more than 2.6 billion cubic feet per day of gas at the Mahakam block in first-half 2006.

The block is a top-tier oil and condensate producer, with output of just over 90,000 barrels per day in the first half 2006. (robert)