ESDM states Russian company to continue work on Tuna Block in June

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has stated that the Russian oil and gas company Zarubezhneft will continue development of the Tuna Block in June, after it was previously delayed due to the withdrawal of Harbour Energy.

“We met with Zarubezhneft and discussed the continuation of the Tuna Block project, which remains delayed. Zarubezhneft expressed its commitment to proceeding with the project next month in June,” said Deputy Minister of ESDM Yuliot in his official statement, confirmed by ANTARA in Jakarta on Friday.

Yuliot held the meeting with officials from the Russian oil and gas company, Joint Stock Company Zarubezhneft (JSC Zarubezhneft), during a working visit to attend the 14th Indonesia-Russia Joint Commission Meeting on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation in Kazan, Russia.

During the meeting, Yuliot said, Zarubezhneft expressed its readiness to continue the Tuna Block project in June. The Tuna Block project was delayed due to the withdrawal of Premier Oil, a subsidiary of Harbour Energy, which was Zarubezhneft’s partner in developing the project.

“The government will provide support for the continuation of this project,” Yuliot stated.

In this meeting, Zarubezhneft also expressed its desire to develop other oil and gas projects in Indonesia to support an increase in Indonesia’s oil and gas production, through Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technology and reactivation of idle wells.

Zarubezhneft’s interest in investing in Indonesia is recorded in the Agreed Minutes document of the 14th Indonesia-Russia Joint Commission Meeting (SKB).

Russia noted the interest of JSC Zarubezhneft in expanding and strengthening cooperation with Indonesian partners, including participation in new projects with Indonesian oil and gas companies.

Russia also requested support for completing the compliance process for companies nominated by Zarubezhneft to begin organising oil supplies to Indonesia.