Energy Minister: US-Based Oil & Gas Company Interested in Masela Block

Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Arifin Tasrif revealed that one of the big oil and gas companies from the United States (US) is interested in purchasing Shell's participating interest (PI) in the Masela Block. It will join PT Pertamina in developing the work area located in Maluku. "So, apart from Indonesian oil and gas companies, there is also one particular oil and gas contractor intensively communicating with Inpex from the United States," Arifin said on Wednesday without getting into the details.

On financing Pertamina to take part in the deal, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is finalizing several joint funding instruments, including the financing through the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), with the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry. "As a result, interested parties only have to understand the terms and conditions. Pertamina will discuss it internally with the SOEs Ministry and INA," he said.