Repsol Andaman Exploration until 2021

The Aceh Oil and Gas Management Agency (BPMA) gave a recommendation for an extension of 2 years to Repsol to continue exploration in the Andaman III Block until 2021. BPMA Acting Officer Azhari Idris said Repsol was given a recommendation for an extension of the next 2 years.

the Andaman III Block

"Yes, we gave 2 years for Repsol," he said.

So far, Repsol is still exploring oil and gas blocks which are estimated to have 3-4 trillion cubic feet (TCF) gas potential. Referring to BPMA data, in 2017-2018, Repsol has conducted several exploration activities, namely acquisition and processing of 3D seismic data covering 3,670 square kilometers (km2). The Repsol exploration permit in the Andaman Block should expire this year.

The Repsol party had applied for a permit extension for about 1 year. BPMA Deputy of Operations and Planning Teuku Muhammad Faisal the extension of this exploration period still has to wait for approval from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif.

Arifin Tasrif

According to him, the additional exploration period was given so that Repsol could continue drilling Rencon IX wells. In addition, Repsol is also preparing shorebase, long lead item preparation and drill ship procurement. The extension granted is even longer compared Repsol's request is only around one year.

"Repsol can be maximum in 2 years, seeing their preparations in the past year and this year. They are optimistic indeed, asking for a year is enough, [but] rather than not finished, regulators also bother, "he added.

Previously, Acting Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Djoko Siswanto, said that his party was still waiting for a recommendation from BPMA regarding the extension of the Andaman III Block exploration period.

"Still waiting for the BPMA recommendation for the extension. We wait 1-2 days, "he said.

IN INDONESIA

Repsol Eksplorasi Andaman hingga 2021

Badan Pengelola Migas Aceh (BPMA) memberikan rekomendasi perpanjangan selama 2 tahun kepada Repsol untuk melanjutkan eksplorasi di Blok Andaman III hingga 2021. Pelaksana Tugas BPMA Azhari Idris mengatakan Repsol diberikan rekomendasi perpanjangan waktu 2 tahun ke depan. 

“Ya, kami beri 2 tahun untuk Repsol,” katanya.

Sejauh ini, Repsol masih melakukan eksplorasi di blok migas yang diperkirakan memiliki potensi gas 3-4 triliun kaki kubik (TCF). Mengacu data BPMA, pada 2017-2018, Repsol telah melakukan beberapa kegiatan eksplorasi yakni akuisisi dan pemrosesan data seismik 3D seluas 3.670 kilometer persegi (km2). Izin eksplorasi Repsol di Blok Andaman seharusnya berakhir tahun ini. 

Pihak Repsol sempat mengajukan permohonan perpanjangan izin itu sekitar 1 tahun. Deputi Operasi dan Perencanaan BPMA Teuku Muhammad Faisal perpanjangan masa eksplorasi ini masih harus menunggu persetujuan Menteri Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif.

Menurutnya, tambahan masa eksplorasi ini diberikan agar Repsol dapat melanjutkan kegiatan pengeboran sumur Rencon IX. Selain itu, Repsol juga sedang melakukan persiapan shorebase, penyiapan long lead item dan pengadaan drill ship. Perpanjangan yang diberikan bahkan lebih lama dibandingkan permintaan Repsol yang hanya sekitar satu tahun.

“Repsol bisa maksimum di 2 tahun, melihat persiapan mereka di tahun kemarin dan tahun ini. Mereka optimistis memang, mintanya setahun cukup, [tetapi] daripada tidak selesai kan regulator juga yang repot,” tambahnya.

Sebelumnya, Pelaksana Tugas Direktur Jenderal Minyak dan Gas Bumi Kementerian ESDM Djoko Siswanto mengatakan pihaknya masih menunggu rekomendasi dari BPMA terkait perpanjangan masa eksplorasi Blok Andaman III.

“Masih menunggu rekomendasi BPMA untuk extension. 1-2 hari ini kami tunggu,” ujarnya.

Bisnis Indonesia, Page-24, Wednesday, November 6, 2019