Total West Papua starts drilling exploration well in Papua

Total said on Friday that its subsidiary Total E&P Indonesie West Papua, has planned to start the drilling of one exploration well named Anggrek Hitam-1x in Southwest Bird?s Head Block in the fourth week of June 2013.

The company said in a press statement on Saturday that it is 90 percent owned by Total E&P Indonesie West Papua, and 10 percent by PT Indika Energy.

?One swamp rig ?Maera? has been mobilized from East Kalimantan on 5 June 2013 which is scheduled to arrive on 17 June 2013 at Tanjung Suabor, South Sorong Regency, West Papua,? said Avep Disasmita, District Manager of Total E&P Indonesia West Papua.

Avep added, it is estimated the drilling operation will last for approximately two and a half months.

The company reported that to welcome the arrival of the rig, as part of the local customs, a religious ceremony will be held on 17th June 2013, involving at least 200 people of two main tribes who own the customary rights (hak ulayat) of the location.

Some local and national companies who involved in the activities employ local people. PT Modern, a local contractor operating in West Papua, employs 120 local residents as part of site clearing in the drilling location.

PT Onasis, another contractor, employs 36 local villagers. Another company, PT Apexindo, which operates rig Maera and conducts the drilling operation employs 16 local workers.

Overall, Total has reached 124,500 man-hours and 156 working days without any loss time accident during site preparation phase.

Editing by Benget Besalicto Tnb.