By Bernard Loebs
Upstream oil and gas authority SKK Migas said that Spanish energy firm Repsol SA, the operator of Sakakemang block in South Sumatra Province, will soon drill the third and fourth wells in the block, following a successful drilling of the second well in February this year, which has led to a giant discovery.
SKK Migas Division Head for Program and Communication, Wisnu Prabawa Taher, said the drilling of the third and fourth wells, called KBD-x and Anggun wells, aims to further assess the reserves of the Sakakemang block.
SKK Migas, he said, fully backs up the company's plan including supporting the process to get environmental permit as well as permit to use forestry area from related government ministries and agencies.
Wisnu added the drilling of KBD-2x in Musi Banyuasin Regency earlier reached 2,430 measured depth, targeting fractured basement. This has proved that there has been significant hydrocarbon resources in the fractured basement.
Such discovery, he said, has encouraged other production sharing contractors (PSCs) in the region to carry out drilling works, targeting the fractured basement.
Fractured basement is one of the most important targets in the recent exploration strategy.
Other PSCs such as Tately N.V has drilled a well, called Budi Deep within Palmerah block, which shows preliminary result of gas discovery. Seleraya Merangin 2 is also planning to drill Belato 2 well, targeting fractured basement.
SKK Migas said early this week that Repsol is given opportunity to submit the block’s plan of development (POD) sooner than initially planned in a bid to help accelerate first gas production.
Planning Deputy Head of SKK Migas Jafee Suadi said Repsol is expected to soon drill another well to confirm the giant gas discovery made in February. The upcoming new drilling program is expected to be completed in a year.
In February, SKK Migas announced the successful drilling of the Kaliberau Dalam 2X (KBD-2X) well in Sakakemang block, dubbing it as a new giant discovery. SKK Migas Chairman Dwi Soetjipto said at the time that the potential gas reserves from the KBD-2X finding was 2 trillion cubic feet.
The Sakakemang block is operated by Repsol, which holds a 45 percent interest, while Malaysia’s Petronas holds another 45 percent interest, and Mitsui Oil Exploration Co. Ltd holds the remaining 10 percent interest. The Sakakemang Block was previously operated by Talisman Sakakemang B.V. Repsol acquired the block from Talisman in 2015.
Editing by Roffie Kurniawan
