Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - Duri Institute claims head of Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKK Migas) Rudi Rubiandini, who is detained by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), had suggested dividing Siak Block into three parts.

"He had suggested dividing the block into three parts. one part to be given to Chevron, and the dry part to be given to a national company and Regional or Provincial Administration-owned Company (BUMD)," said Agung Marsudi, a researcher at Duri Institute, on Monday.

He added that the suggestion is reasonable, given Rubiandini`s affinity towards U.S. oil and gas company PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia since his professorship at the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB).

In fact, Chevron had invited Rubiandini to be a speaker in a number of Chevron`s training sessions on oil and gas.

"There is a huge connection between Rubiandini and Chevron. Therefore, when Rubiandini became the head of SKK Migas, he helped Chevron often, including the extension of a contract to manage Siak Block," he said.

Chevron had expressed its interest to continue managing Siak Block after the expiration of the contract on 27 November 2013.

Oil wells in Siak Block, located in four districts of Riau, namely Kampar, Bengkalis, Rokan Hulu, and Rokan Hilir, are capable of producing between 1,600 and 2,000 barrels of oil per day.

"The U.S. company targeted the wells in Batang, Rantau Bais, and Rokan Hilir districts. These locations are believed to be potential oil fields and would be operated like Duri, Bengkalis," he said.

KPK has named Rudi Rubiandini as a suspect in an alleged bribery case in SKK Migas.

Rudi Rubiandini was arrested for taking US$700 thousand in bribes on Tuesday night.

KPK has arrested Simon Tanjaya, an official at Kernel Oil Pte Ltd, and Devi Ardi, and it has confiscated a black bag, a number of documents, and a motorcycle.

Reported by Muhammad Said
(G006/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013