Conservation Area Is The Reason The Papua Warim Block Has Not Been Explored

Oil and gas block illustration (Photo: Doc. Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The government has provided reasons for the potential for oil and gas in the Warim Block, Papua, so far it has not been explored.

"This is a conservation area," said Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Siti Nurbaya Bakar quoting Antara, Wednesday, October 18.

He revealed that the Head of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) Dwi Soetjipto had also proposed an exploration plan in the block.

"It has been proposed, but it is not yet formal by Pak Dwi, SKK Migas," he said.

He said that because it is in a conservation area, standard procedures are needed to regulate this exploration.

"Not yet (explored) it must be discussed first. That's a conservation area, there must be procedures," said Siti.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan revealed that the government's new findings in the form of oil potential reached 27 billion barrels in Warim, Papua.

"Dirim itu ada potensi, 27 billion (miliar) barrel. Itu saya pikir potensi luar biasa karena biasanya kalau ada minyak, pasti ada gas juga," kata Luhut dalam 2nd Edition Marine Spatial Planning & Services Expo 2023 di Jakarta, Selasa (19/9/2023).

Luhut said the potential for new treasure was being followed up independently by PT Pertamina (Persero). However, because the Warim area is a protected forest, there is a special way to work on the potential for oil and gas in the area.

He also confirmed that he had discussed exploration plans in the Warim area with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

"Pertamina to this day alone. So, Warim does have a bit of a problem because it's a protected forest. But, maybe they want to drill tilted," he said.