Inpex Corporation Working on Masela Block, Japan Requests Indonesian Government Support: This is for Energy Security

BALI - The Japanese government is paying attention to the continuation of the Masela Block Abadi Field project, in Maluku. Japan fully supports the continuation of the development of the Masela Block perpetual field.

Meanwhile, a Japanese company, Inpex Corporation is the operator working on the Masela Block.

Director-General, Natural Resources and Fuel Department Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) JAPAN, Yuki Sadamitsu, said the project in the Masela Block Abadi Field has good potential.

Furthermore, Yuki said the Masela Block Abadi Field project is symbolic. Where Inpex as a company from Japan also contributes to energy security in both countries.

"Inpex, a Japanese company also contributes to energy security in the two countries, together with Pertamina by promoting the Abadi project", he said at the 3rd International Convention on Indonesian Upstream Oil and Gas (IOG) 2022, at BNDCC, Nusa Dua, Bali, Friday, November 25.

"The Japanese government will continue to support the Abadi project as a symbol of the strong bilateral relations and cooperation between Japan and Indonesia", he said.

On this occasion, Yuki also invited high-ranking energy companies to support these efforts. Especially on the part of maintaining energy security in the future.

"We hope that your government will also support the Japan-Indonesia Consortium. I would like to end my message by emphasizing that this convention will contribute to the realization of energy security and net zero emissions", he said.

China to Malaysia Interested in Entering

As previously reported, the oil and gas company (Migas) from China, PetroChina Company Ltd. to an oil and gas company from Malaysia, Petronas, is interested in entering the Masela Block, which is located in the Tanimbar Archipelago, Maluku Province, Indonesia. Following that, the departure of Shell originally wanted to work on the project.

The interest of Chinese companies in Malaysia was confirmed by the Head of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas), Dwi Soetjipto.

Dwi said there are about 4 companies that have been in talks. However, Dwi has not disclosed the details of which companies are interested in entering. Regarding the plan to enter energy companies into the Masela Block, Dwi emphasized that it needed to be communicated with Inpex from Japan. This is because Inpex is the operator in the Masela Block.

"There are quite a few, for example, our etiquette indicates that there are 3 or 4, yes, but each has its own requirements that must be collaborated with Inpex itself", he said on the sidelines of the IOG Convention 2022, on Nusa Dua, Bali, Wednesday, November 23.

The latest is a company from China, Petrochina which is reportedly interested in working on the Masela Block. Dwi confirmed the news, including the news that Petronas was equally interested.

"(Petrochina) is included. Petronas is included", he explained.

Furthermore, Dwi targets that by the end of this year there will be a final decision on companies entering the Masela Block, narrowing Shell's 35 percent participant interest.

Dwi reiterated that all parties interested in entering the Masela Block must hold discussions with Inpex as the operator there. Dwi also admitted that he encouraged other companies to participate in the work.