BPMA: Japanese Companies Interested in Exploring Former Repsol's Andaman Block

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - The Aceh Oil and Gas Management Agency (BPMA) states that Japanese companies are interested in exploring oil and natural gas in Block Andaman 1 off the coast of Pidie Jaya and Bireuen, Aceh, which was previously drilled by Repsol.

“The former Repsol block in the Andaman 1 Working Area (WK), located under 12 nautical miles, has interest from two Japanese giants,” said BPMA Head Nasri Djalal in Banda Aceh on Thursday.

The two companies are Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex) and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (Jogmec).

Nasri said that the two Japanese companies have shown their seriousness in investing in Aceh, as they have so far conducted presentations and are currently handling all administrative processes at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Actually, said Nasri, so far his side has received three official joint study (JS) proposals for the management of terminated oil and gas blocks in Aceh, namely in the Andaman I WK (ex-Repsol), South Block A WK (ex-KRX), and Lhokseumawe WK (ex-Zaratex).

Besides the Japanese companies, other interested parties include PT Energi Hijau Biru in collaboration with Barakah Petroleum Malaysia. As well as PT Pembangunan Aceh (PEMA) as a Regional Owned Enterprise (BUMD) of Aceh.

Nasri conveyed that for other interested parties in terminated blocks in Aceh, PT Energi Hijau Biru in collaboration with Barakah Petroleum Malaysia wants to explore the Lhokseumawe WK (ex-Zaratex).