The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has officially opened the bidding for Working Areas (WK) or Oil and Gas Blocks (migas) Phase I 2023. There are at least 3 working areas (WK) that will be offered in this bidding stage.
According to Tutuka Ariadji, Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the three WKs or Oil and Gas Blocks being offered are WK Akia, WK Beluga, and WK Bengara 1, all of which are exploration WKs.
“At this event, we, as representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, will announce the offer of WK Migas Phase 1 2023. There are 3 WKs that we are currently offering, two working areas are offered through direct bidding mechanism and one WK with direct bidding without a joint study in accordance with applicable regulations,” said Tutuka during a press conference on Monday (10/4/2023).
Meanwhile, each of the WKs being offered will also use the cost recovery sharing scheme. Here are the areas of the three WKs that will be offered in this bidding:
- WK Akia located in the offshore of North Kalimantan, is an exploration WK with estimated resources of 2 billion barrels of oil (BBO) and 9 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas.
The location of WK Akia is adjacent to several WKs that have proven hydrocarbon potential such as Tarakan, Bunyu and Nunukan, covering an area of 8,394.05 km2. The minimum definite commitment for this WK is a G&G study, seismic 3D acquisition, and processing covering an area of 750 km2.
- WK Beluga located in the offshore of West Natuna, is an exploration WK with estimated resources of 360 million barrels of oil (MMBO) and 50 billion cubic feet (BCF) of gas.
The location of WK Beluga is close to South Natuna Sea Block B, Duyung, Natuna Sea Block A, Udang, and Kakap, where these oil and gas WKs have proven their hydrocarbon potential. The minimum definite commitment for this WK is a G&G study and one exploration drilling.
- WK Bengara I located in the North Kalimantan Plain, is an exploration WK with estimated resources of 90 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE).
The location is also adjacent to WKs that have proven their hydrocarbon potential such as WK Simenggaris with gas production. The minimum definite commitment for this WK is a G&G study and one exploration drilling.
“Regarding the auction schedule, for the direct bidding of Akia and Beluga and with direct bidding without a joint study Bengara I, the bid document access schedule is April 10, 2023, and the deadline for submitting bidding documents is May 9, 2023,” said Tutuka.