"The IDD project should have been developed last year, but it failed to get a permit. In connection with that, Mr Watson has expressed its commitment to the project, and it seems it is in line with the governments aspirations to increase the production of oil and gas," Chief Economic Minister Sofyan Djalil noted after accompanying the president in the meeting.
As earlier reported with regard to the US$12 billion worth IDD project, Chevron has secured a permit for the drilling at the Bangka Block, but it has not yet received a permit for the project in the other major gas field in Makassar Strait.
In the meeting, John Watson was accompanied by Chevron Corp. Upstream Senior Vice President Jay Johnson, Chevron President for Asia Pacific Exploration and Production Melody Meyer, Chevron IndoAsia Business Unit Managing Director Chuck Taylor, and Chevron Pacific Indonesia President Director Albert Simanjuntak.
Sofyan Djalil stated that the exploration of new oil and gas fields was urgently needed as without new fields being found, the oil reserves will deplete within 11 years, while gas reserves will last for 18 years.
He said that in the meeting, Chevron officials also touched on the case of its workers who are involved in the bioremediation project.
"In response to it, the president said he would discuss it further later," Djalil added.
(Reporting by Muhammad Arief Iskandar/H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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