REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, AMBON -- Central government is asked to allow 10 percent of local ownership in form of equity participation rights in Masela oil and gas block, Maluku. Golkar Secretary at Regional House of Representative in Maluku, Richard Rahakbauw said that there was no legal basis for central government (MInistry of Energy and Mineral Resources) to delay the signing of the capital investment.
"The authority is on Maluku provincial government, based on Article 34 of Government Regulation No. 35/2004," Rahakbauw said recently.
It is written, if there is more than one local enterprise in areas where natural resources are, governor has the authority to divide 10 percent of equity participation rights. PT Maluku Energi as provincial owned enterprises has made a cooperation agreement with investors.
Golkar Party asked local government to actively fight for Masela oil and gas management through equity participation rights. It is because all documents relating to the requirements have been met by PT Maluku Energi since 2009.
Masela block is estimated to have 18.47 trillion cubic feet of proved and probable gas reserves as certified by DeGolyer & MacNaughton Consultants from Texas in the US.