Indonesia woos Petronas
Firm invited for joint exploration
PUTRAJAYA: Indonesia has invited Petronas to embark on a joint oil and gas exploration with stateowned oil company Pertamina in two areas off the republic’s waters.
The earmarked area for this collaboration is in Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea as well as off Natuna Islands.
The offer was made known to Malaysia during a courtesy call by Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday.
There are seven areas in Indonesia’s territory in the South China Sea and another three off Natuna Islands that are ready for Petronas to explore.
“This is an interesting offer to consider and I would like to thank the Indonesian government for making this offer to us. This is also in line with Petronas’ aim, which is to concentrate on such ventures within Asean.
“We hope to see the active participation of Petronas in Indonesia’s oil and gas industry very soon,” he told reporters after receiving Luhut and his delegation.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said that apart from oil exploration, Pertamina was also seeking collaboration with Petronas in downstream activities, including the production and marketing of petrochemical products.
He said Luhut, who is the acting minister for energy and mineral resources, had explained that Indonesia had rectified certain issues that had hindered foreign investments from coming into his country.
With the problem solved, it would be a good opportunity for Petronas to explore opportunities available there.
The Deputy Prime Minister also said Indonesia had proposed longterm cooperation between Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Indonesia’s governmentowned power company Perusahaan Listrik Negara and coal mining companies to look into constant supply of coal for TNB.
He said Indonesia had assured of a constant and quality supply if there was longterm cooperation between TNB and coal mining companies there.
Luhut said Indonesia wanted to see more economic collaboration with Malaysia at both government and business levels.