Publications

Statoil ASA (operator, 80%) and Niko Resources (20%) were awarded the 8,215 sq km Halmahera II PSC in the Halmahera Basin as part of the Indonesian 2011 Phase I Regular License Round offering. Firm commitments for the first three years of exploration include G&G studies and 6,000km of 2D seismic acquisition. The Halmahera II PSC in the Halmahera Basin is frontier acreage located within the Eastern Indonesia archipelago between Sulawesi and West Papua. The block is covered by a loose speculative 2D seismic grid. No wells have been drilled in the basin. Given the frontier nature of the block, a working petroleum system is yet to be proven. Nevertheless, a prolific source rock analogue, the marine Miocene Klamogun and Klasafet Formations, are proven to be working in the Salawati Basin, some 120km southeast of the block. Statoil and Niko aim to derisk the source rock presence and maturity prior to a decision to drill by undertaking a multi-beam survey with seabed coring and geochemical analysis of the samples as part of the firm work program. Two reservoirs have been identified in the Halmahera Basin and included in the petroleum system: 1. ligocene/Miocene Carbonate Reefal Buildup Play. Several carbonate growths on basement highs are mapped within the block. The 2D seismic acquisition work commitment (6000km) will help further mature the play and identify drillable prospects. 2. Re-deposited Carbonate Play. A large redeposited carbonate sediment slope apron (3800km2) is mapped adjacent to a large longlived Miocene to present day carbonate platform margin. Two large anticlines lie well placed within this base-of-slope apron facies, trapping these sediments within four-way closures. An additional ‘Australian’ Mesozoic play with high impact potential has also been suggested to be present in the block, however, current seismic quality is insufficient to evaluate this play.