Total announces a new gas discovery between the Tunu and Peciko fields in the offshore Mahakam block in Indonesia.

Drilled in very shallow water 8 kilometres southwest of the southernmost platform in the Tunu field, the Tunu Great South-1 well encountered a number of gas reservoirs that confirm the existence of an extension of the southern zone of Tunu. A production test will be conducted to confirm the find, and further wells will be drilled in  the area to appraise its potential. The new resources could come on stream by 2009.

Total operates the Mahakam block on behalf of the 50-50 Total-Inpex joint venture.

Total in Indonesia:

Present in Indonesia since 1968, Total is the country’s leading gas producer. Production has grown steadily since 1999, and the Group’s operated production now supplies 80% of the feed gas for the Bontang liquefaction plant from the Mahakam block, in which the Tambora, Tunu and Peciko gas fields are located. Total operated more than 2.6 billion cubic feet per day of gas production from the Mahakam block in first-half 2006. Output will be maintained at this level at least through the early years of the next decade. The Mahakam block is a top-tier oil and condensate producer, with output of just over 90,000 barrels per day in the first half 2006.