2017 Blok Mahakam must be returned and owned by the nation."
Balikpapan (ANTARA News) - Indonesia should no longer extend the work contract of PT Total E&P Indonesie, operator of the Mahakam Oil Block when it expires in 2017, a presidential convention candidate stated.

"2017 Blok Mahakam must be returned and owned by the nation," Gita Wirjawan, a contestant of the Democratic Party presidential candidate convention said during a debate here on Saturday.

Wirjawan said that Indonesia should no longer extend Totals work contract for the operation of the Mahakam Oil Block, which was now under the management of PT Total E&P Indonesia.

The government must be responsible for the management of the natural resources for the greatest welfare of the people.

For this, it is important to work out a fair production sharing between the central and regional governments.

"It is a must to decide a fair turnout sharing scheme between the central government and the regional government of East Kalimantan, particularly the people of East Kalimantan," he said.

Gita explained that the Mahakam Block at present was experiencing a production decline from 1.6 million barrels per day to 830 thousand barrels only.

He said that the decline in the production deserved to be questioned.
(Uu.A014/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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