Inpex Asked to Accelerate Development of Masela Block

JAKARTA, LELEMUKU.COM - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan has told Inpex to accelerate development of the Masela gas block in Maluku, after lengthy planning and negotiations. 

At a meeting during his three-day visit to Tokyo ending on Tuesday Jonan asked Inpex to soon discuss and start the process of Pre Front End Engineering Design (FEED) with the Upstream Oil and Gas Special Working Unit (SKK Migas). 

Discussion should have come to technical phase including a number of topis such as implementation of Pre FEED, production capacity and location on shore of the liquefied natural gas plant to be built, Jonan said. 

As for the location Jonan said there are three options, but the government has no special preference related to location. Both sides agreed that the location would be determined after wrapping up the Pre FEED phase before entering the FEED process.

CEO and President of Inpex Toshiaki Kitamura said the company is ready to start the Pre FEED phase. For that purpose Inpex agreed to hold a joint workshop with SKK Migas, to discuss strategic points before embarking on pre FEED. Deputy chief of SKK Migas MI Zikrullah, who took part at the meeting, said the agency agreed with the workshop plan.

During his three days in Tokyo, Jonan met with Japanese government officials and investors.

"We seek to take the initiative. Many inputs we could get and they know better about our policy especially in electric and oil and gas sectors. No less important is the investors could speak directly with us to find a solution to problem in the field," he said.

Special envoy of the president for Japan Rahmat Gobel described as positive the series of meetings between Minister Jonan and Japanese investors and government officials, giving rise to optimism in strengthening cooperation between the two countries especially in the energy and mineral resource sectors.

"The series of meetings and discussions in the past two days has resulted in greater confidence among the Japanese investors in Indonesia. They were more enthusiastic with the visit of the Energy and Mineral Resource Minister this time," Gobel said.

President and CEO of Mitsubishi Corp Takehiko Kakiuchi said he felt honored and proud being visited by the Minister at his office. Top leaders of Tokyo Gas, including CEO Michiaki Hirose, were even all dressed in batik in welcoming Jonan and his delegation.

"This is to show our enthusiasm for the visit of the Minister and our respect for Indonesian culture," Hirose said.

During his stay in Tokyo, Jonan held eight business meetings. He also met with former Prime Minister Yosuo Fukuda, former Japanese ambassador to Indonesia Yasuaki Tanizaki, and Indonesian people in Japan. (antara)