More Oil and Gas Deposits Found in Aceh
- VIVAnews/Ikhwan Yanuar
VIVA – The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has stated that Aceh has promising oil and gas potential, as more deposits were found in the Andaman Block.
Director General of oil and gas at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Tutuka Ariadji, stated that the Andaman Block comprised three areas -- Andaman I managed by Mubadala Petroleum RSC Ltd, Andaman II managed by Premier Oil Andaman Ltd, and Andaman III under Repsol Andaman BV's management -- with the estimated potential of each area being six trillion cubic feet.
Ariadji stated that his administration was currently awaiting the results of analysis that might be the biggest global finding yet.
“If the (gas deposit) is found again, (Andaman) blocks I, II, and III (could) be the (ones with the) largest (supply) in the world. (This is) because it indeed is huge," he said on Saturday.
The ministry remarked that Premier Oil's efforts to drill had resulted in discovery of the gas deposit in Timpan Well, Andaman II Block. Andaman III's efforts also led to a satisfying result.
"Now, we are in the middle of the drilling process in Rencong Well. We will wait this year," he stated.
Apart from the Andaman I, II, and III Blocks, more gas potential was expected to be discovered from the Meulaboh Offshore North West Aceh block and Singkil Offshore South West Aceh block through a joint study.
The access to bid document of both blocks kicked off from July 20, 2022, to September 2, 2022. The deadline to submit the participation document was set on September 6, 2022.
"Singkil Block has big (potential). Meulaboh (also has) big (potential). So (the potential of) discovery is rather likely," he remarked.
Although the two areas offer promising gas potential, the complex geological situation there posed a challenge.
The other gas work area in Aceh is Arakundo block. It was offered through a regular bid.
The access to bid document of Arakundo kicked off from July 20, 2022, to November 15, 2022. The deadline to submit the participation document was set on November 17, 2022. (ant)