Uneconomic, Exxon goes from East Natuna

Pertamina will form a new consortium in East Natuna Block

Esso Natuna Ltd, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil has finally chosen to resign from the management of the East Natuna Block. Blocks with super jumbo gas capacity is indeed full of uncertainty since it was discovered in 1973 ago.

Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) I Gusti Nyoman Wiratinaja Puja said Exxon had sent a letter to the ESDM Ministry on East Natuna Block. Currently, his side is discussing inetrnal.

"Exxon said that the contract has been exhausted and Exxon also said it is not okonomic with the existing terms," ​​said Wiratmaja, Tuesday (18/7).

For information, ExxonMobil entered as a consortium led by PT Pertamina. In addition to Exxon, there is also a Thai oil and gas company, PTT Exploration and Production (EP) Thailand. Wiratmaja said the reason Exxon said East Natuna Block is not economical because it uses an old study on the management of the block. Whereas Exxon very clearly states have the technology and capabilities.

"Exxon has an exploration block and if needed, it is ready to help Indonesia," said Wiratmaja.

With the resignation of Exxon from East Natuna Block, the government will discuss about Pertamina's next partner. Pertamina is authorized to seek new partners in the management of the Block.

"For East Natuna, there are quite a lot of interest, we have assigned Pertamina to find partners," he said.

Vice President of Public and Government Affairs of Exxon Mobil Indonesia Erwin Maryoto said, after completing the technical and marketing review or Technology and Market Review (TMR) and reviewing its findings, ExxonMobil no longer wishes to continue the discussion or further activities related to East Natuna. Despite retreat from the East Natuna Block, ExxonMobil remains committed to ExxonMobil's operations in Indonesia.

"We will also continue to seek and review new opportunities in Indonesia," he explained

Meanwhile, Afiat Djajanegara, General Manager of PTT EP Thailand, said that after hearing ExxonMobil backed down, his side is still doing an internal evaluation.

"So far there has been no decision from top management," he said.

Meanwhile, Pertamina will discuss internally and with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Upstream Director of Pertamina Syamsu Alam explained that his party is likely to form a new consortium for East Natuna Block. 

     According to him, there are currently some companies that are interested to join the block. When confirmed about the news of Petrochina's entry, Syamsu refused to answer. He just explained, technical and marketing studies are done.

IN INDONESIA

Tidak Ekonomis, Exxon Pamit dari East Natuna

Pertamina akan membentuk konsorsium baru di Blok East Natuna

Esso Natuna Ltd, anak usaha ExxonMobil akhirnya memilih mundur dari pengelolaan Blok East Natuna. Blok dengan kapasitas gas super jumbo ini memang penuh ketidakpastian sejak ditemukan tahun 1973 silam.

Direktur Jenderal Minyak dan Gas Bumi Kementerian Energi dan Sumbor Daya Mineral (ESDM) I Gusti Nyoman Wiratinaja Puja mengatakan, Exxon sudah mengirimkan Surat kepada Kementerian ESDM tentang Blok East Natuna. Saat ini pihaknya sedang membahas secara inetrnal.

"Exxon mengaku sudah habis kontrak bloknya. Exxon juga bilang saat ini tidak okonomis dengan terms yang ada," kata Wiratmaja, Selasa (18/7).

Sebagai informasi, ExxonMobil masuk sebagai konsorsium yang dipimpin oleh PT Pertamina. Selain Exxon, ada juga perusahaan migas asal Thailand, yaitu PTT Exploration and Production (EP) Thailand. Wiratmaja bilang alasan Exxon menyatakan Blok East Natuna tidak ekonomis karena memakai kajian lama pada pengelolaan blok tersebut. Padahal Exxon sangat jelas menyatakan memiliki teknologi dan kemampuan. 

"Exxon punya blok eksplorasi dan jika diperlukan siap membantu Indonesia. Itu isi suratnya," ungkap Wiratmaja.

Dengan mundurnya Exxon dari Blok East Natuna, pemerintah akan membahas mengenai mitra Pertamina selanjutnya. Pertamina diberikan wewenang mencari mitra baru dalam pengelolaan Blok tersebut. 

"Untuk East Natuna, ada cukup banyak yang berminat. Kita sudah menugaskan Pertamina mencari partner," ungkapnya. 

Vice President Public and Goverment Affairs Exxon Mobil Indonesia Erwin Maryoto menyebutkan, setelah menyelesaikan kajian teknis dan pemasaran atau Technology and Market Review (TMR) dan mengkaji temuannya, ExxonMobil tidak lagi berkeinginan meneruskan pembahasan atau kegiatan lebih lanjut terkait East Natuna tersebut. Meskipun mundur dari Blok East Natuna, ExxonMobil masih tetap berkomitmen pada operasi ExxonMobil di Indonesia. 

"Kami juga akan terus mencari dan mengkaji peluang baru di Indonesia," terangnya 

Sementara itu, Afiat Djajanegara, General Manager PTT EP Thailand, mengungkapkan, setelah mendengar ExxonMobil mundur, pihaknya masih melakukan evaluasi secara internal. 

"Sejauh ini belum ada keputusan dari top management," ungkap dia.

Sedangkan Pertamina akan membicarakan secara internal maupun dengan Kementerian ESDM. Direktur Hulu Pertamina Syamsu Alam menjelaskan, pihaknya kemungkinan besar akan membentuk konsorsium baru untuk Blok East Natuna. Menurut dia, saat ini sudah ada beberapa perusahaan yang berminat untuk bergabung ke blok tersebut. 

   

   Ketika dikonfirmasi terkait kabar masuknya Petrochina, Syamsu tidak bersedia menjawab. Ia hanya menjelaskan, kajian teknis dan pemasaran sudah selesai.

Kontan, Page-14, Wednesday, July 19, 2017