Kotabaru, S Kalimantan, Jan 15 (ANTARA) - The Kotabaru Regency, 350 kilometres southwest of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, contains considerable reserves of methane gas (CH4) ready to be explored, according to an official.
"An oil and gas company recently conducted research and exploration activities here, and some areas were found to have methane gas reserves similar to those of East Kalimantan," Kotabaru Regent H.Irhami Ridjani said here on Tuesday.
One of the potential areas is Bungkukan of West Kelumpang subdistrict. Exploration and exploitation activities will begin there as soon as possible,¿ he stated.
"We want this potential to be harnessed to improve the people¿s welfare," the Regent explained.
The administration, however, still needs to coordinate with relevant authorities and professional oil and gas companies on exploitation activities in the area.
Besides methane gas, Kotabaru also contains oil and gas reserves in Lari-Larian Island (Sebuku Block).
According to the head of Mining and Energy Office of Kotabaru, Akhmad Rivai, the Lari-Larian Island contains dry gas reserves comprised of methane (97-98 percent), CO2 (0.5-0.75 mole percent) and nitrogen (0.2-0.32 mole percent).
It has been reported that PT. Pearl Oil will exploit the gas potential of Lari-Larian Island. The company expects to drill six wells in the area to reach its production target of 100 million metric standard cubic feet per day.
THe Sebuku Block will be exploited until 2020.
