The Indonesian unit of ExxonMobil on July 18 said it “no longer wishes to continue further discussions or activity” involving the country’s East Natuna natural gas block, which is believed to hold one of the world’s largest reserves of untapped gas.
Erwin Maryoto, the company's vice president of public and government affairs, told Reuters in an email the decision was taken after completing a “technology and market review.”
ExxonMobil’s exit likely means further delays in developing a field that was first discovered in the 1970s. Difficulties with the field have included contract disputes and the remoteness of the block, which is on the southern edge of the South China Sea.
The East Natuna Field holds about 46 Tcf of recoverable gas resources, according to ExxonMobil, although it comes with a CO2 content of more than 70%—which also increases the cost of extracting useable fuel.
State energy firm Pertamina had expected to sign a production-sharing contract with ExxonMobil and Thailand’s PTTEP for the project last year.
Syamsu Alam, Pertamina’s upstream director, said the company has not been informed directly of ExxonMobil’s decision, but that it was committed to developing the East Natuna Field, once a partner is found.
“Surely Pertamina wouldn’t be able to develop the block alone, we need a partner,” Alam told Reuters in a text message.
Indonesia’s government has received a letter from the U.S. oil major on its decision to pull out of the gas block, Wiratmaja Puja, director general of oil and gas at the energy ministry, told reporters.
In the letter, Exxon said developing the block would be “uneconomical for the company under current terms,” but it offered to help with technology and technical assistance for the project if needed, according to Puja.
Puja estimated that developing the project under current terms would make its gas too expensive, at about $10-15 per million British thermal units (MMBtu). That compares with spot prices for LNG in Asia that are less than $6 per MMBtu.
The government plans to invite ExxonMobil to discuss the project again, saying it might offer “a special incentive” to make it economically viable, Puja said.
Malaysia’s Petronas and France’s Total were previously involved with the East Natuna project, but they have both pulled out.
In the past, Pertamina’s official has said that developing the East Natuna project could cost up to $40 billion.
Recommended Reading
BP: Gimi FLNG Vessel Arrival Marks GTA Project Milestone
2024-02-15 - The BP-operated Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project on the Mauritania and Senegal maritime border is expected to produce 2.3 million tonnes per annum during it’s initial phase.
E&P Highlights: Jan. 22, 2024
2024-01-22 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including FIDs for the Victory and Winterfell fields and new technology updates.
US Raises Crude Production Growth Forecast for 2024
2024-03-12 - U.S. crude oil production will rise by 260,000 bbl/d to 13.19 MMbbl/d this year, the EIA said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook.
E&P Highlights: Jan. 8, 2024
2024-01-08 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines including the second biggest deepwater gas find of 2023 and new contract awards.
Activity Offshore Norway Expected to Remain Steady in 2024
2024-01-11 - The Norwegian Offshore Directorate provided updates on 2023 activity, including 14 wildcat discoveries and eight projects going online and urging exploration in frontier areas.