By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil
JAKARTA, May 15 (Bernama) -- Indonesia’s delayed Tuna Block gas project is expected to resume in June after Russia’s Joint Stock Company Zarubezhneft reaffirmed its commitment to continue the project following the withdrawal of its partner Premier Oil, a subsidiary of British energy company Harbour Energy.
Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Deputy Minister, Yuliot, said the Russian company conveyed its readiness to proceed with the offshore gas project during a meeting in Kazan on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the 14th Indonesia–Russia Joint Commission Session on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation.
“We met with Zarubezhneft and discussed the continuation of the Tuna Block project, which is still pending. Zarubezhneft expressed its commitment to continue the project in June.
“The government will provide support for the continuation of this project,” he said in a statement on Friday.
The Tuna Block, located in Indonesia’s Natuna Sea near the country’s maritime boundary with Vietnam, is regarded as part of Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen domestic energy production and achieve energy self-sufficiency.
The project was previously jointly developed by Zarubezhneft and Premier Oil Tuna BV, with each company holding a 50 per cent participating interest, according to the ministry.
The ministry said that during the meeting, the Russian company also expressed interest in undertaking other oil and gas projects in Indonesia to support increased national oil and gas production through Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technology and the reactivation of idle wells.
The ministry added that Russia has also requested support in completing compliance processes for companies nominated by Zarubezhneft to begin organising oil supplies to Indonesia.
-- BERNAMA
