TotalFinaElf to commence drilling in deepwater block February

Gas giant TotalFinaElf E&P Indonesia said Tuesday it would commence drilling in its Donggala deepwater exploration block in Makassar Strait in February next tear.

?We?ll drill two wildcat exploration wells in Donggala starting February next year,? said company President and General Manager Roland Festor.

Festor said the wells would be drilled using Sedco Forex 601 semi submersible rig, which is currently used by Unocal Indonesia.

TotalFinaElf acquired Donggala block, its first deepwater project Indonesia, from the government of Indonesia late last year after facing stiff competition from deepwater developer Unocal Indonesia.

TotalFinaElf and its partner Japan?s Inpex each holds 42.5 percent interest in Donggala block, while state oil and gas firm Pertamina holds the remaining 15 percent. (alex)