Thursday, 4 July 2013

DOMESTIC COMPANIES COULD NOT AFFORD TO FINANCE USD 100 MILLION OIL GAS EXPLORATIONS



The Indonesian petroleum association [IPA] had not seen any potential capability of domestic companies to finance oil drilling project, considering the high operational cost, i.e. USD 100 million. The risk was great, because the cost was no guarantee of any oil gas reserves. Even if there was any source, the operators still had to calculate the volume of the oil well. “We still had to calculate the commercial advantage before entering the market” Bambang Isatadi of IPA disclosed to business news [19/4].               

The cost was so great, there was no choice for domestic companies to collaborate with foreign companies. The USD 100 million included various resources with measurable risk. In the next IPA meeting in Jakarta in Jakarta geologist, geo physicist would interact. Some point ware confidential but some subjects were open for discussion at the next meeting. Some sessions of the meeting would the focus on development of oil exploration projects. According to experts the ratio was 1: 10; meaning out of very 10 drilling one stood the chance of oil-gas discovery. “The ratio is 1: 10 of east Indonesia; in west Indonesia, the ratio could be 1: 5. “
Even if drilling failed, information’s could still be useful, some element could signal the existence of oil reserves, the same was with reservoirs, all were measurable and calculable to determine resource content.
The IPA meeting had the objective to facilitate discussions, coordination, and collaboration among stakeholders. The conference could also enhance trust to invest in the oil gas sector in Indonesia. One of the challenges to be faced by the oil gas industry in the future was how to maintain good balance between national interest and investors so attendants of meeting could share experience in regard to legal certainly etc.
IPA saw that the meeting was strategic. Energy consumption increased year after year, which was in parallel with population growth and economic activities. The explorations must make more discoveries to cover up domestic need. “We must start now. If we start today the result could be benefited ten years from now.  The gap between supply and need is getting wider. “Bambang remarked.  
Transfer of technology in oil gas explorations from oil producer countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Oman were still needed by Indonesia. The oil gas industry in Indonesia also had input from other oil producing countries like the USA and the Middle East. Explorations activities were expected to increase production output from hidden reserves. So all experts from local and overseas centers would come to attend the meeting. “Between intervals of conference there would be signing of 15 contracts by foreign and domestic companies. Information on new reserves blocks would also be announced, participants of the meeting would exchange information” Bambang concluded. (SS) 

Business News - April 24,2013 

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