Director General Of Oil And Gas Says Many Are Interested In Working On The Tuna Block, But..

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) through the Director General of Oil and Gas, Tutuka Ariadji, provided the latest updates regarding the fate of the Tuna Block after being left by the Russian oil and gas giant, Zarubezhneft (Zn).

Tutuka said that currently many companies are interested in the oil and gas block located off the coast of the Natuna Sea which is right on the border with Vietnam, but no one has shown its seriousness.

"Blok Tuna has a lot (of interest) but no one is serious about signing the contract and until commercialization," said Tutuka when met at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Monday, February 12.

Tutuka said, so far interested companies have conducted open room data but no one has shown seriousness.

"If you open the room data, you have done it but nothing serious yet. There is no serious entry yet. It's still a process," continued Tutuka.

Just so you know, the opening of room data is carried out through a subsidiary of ZN Asia Limited. Previously, Zn had also obtained a permit to open room data through the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), which is the first step in releasing 50 percent of his participation rights to Block Tuna.

Previously, the Head of SKK Migas Dwi Soetjipto revealed that until now the process of farming out or exiting Zn from the Tuna Block is still in the data opening stage.

Meanwhile Deputy for Exploration, Development and Regional Management of SKK Migas Benny Lubiantara said Zn asked for additional time regarding the release of his participation rights by 50 percent from the Tuna Block.

However, Benny ensured that the decision regarding the release of the participation rights of the Russian state-owned company would be completed in the 1st quarter of this year.

"Yes, hopefully in the first quarter it will be enough. It's finished. Apparently there are quite a lot of enthusiasts," concluded Benny.

Just so you know, ZN has relinquished its participation rights to the Tuna Field due to Western state sanctions due to the Russia-Ukraine Geopolitical Conflict.ZN manages Tun Block with Premier Oil Tuna BV and each holds 50 percent of the participation rights.