Indonesia's oil reserves

Indonesia's oil reserves

It is estimated that there are only 15 years left before
Indonesia becomes a net importer of oil. It could happen sooner
if we continue to produce at high levels. However, this should be
no cause for worry since for the past several years the
government has been promoting alternative energy uses. Moreover,
this country is known for its wealth in energy resources such as
natural gas, coal, geothermal energy and water.

Aside from all that, it is time that in this era of
deregulation and de-bureaucratization the government starts
building a business climate that attracts foreign investors to
explore for oil and natural gas, particularly in areas where the
terrain is difficult such as in the eastern parts of Indonesia.
It is also time for the government to publish all exploration
data for the use of foreign investors in order to encourage them
to undertake such explorations.

In this way it is to be hoped that new and more productive oil
reserves can be found. In addition, this would give us more
alternative locations for the development of truly productive and
long-lasting oil and gas resources.

The problem is how to use those various alternatives optimally
to attract foreign investors in the oil and gas business. This
will depend on the determination of all of us, particularly the
government, to develop our economy, which has topped the priority
list in all our past five-year development programs.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta