Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – A ship China reportedly disrupted Harbor Energy’s ongoing drilling at the Tuna block off the coast of Indonesia’s Natuna Sea. It’s rumored to be a website called Energyvoice.com last Friday (20/8/2021).
It said the incident undermined Russia’s energy interests in the South China Sea (SCS). This is because the drilling is supported by Zarubezhneft, which is supported by the Russian state.
“A Chinese vessel has interfered with Harbor Energy’s ongoing drilling campaign at the Tuna block in the Natuna Sea off the Indonesian coast,” the report said, as quoted CNBC Indonesia, Tuesday (24/8/2021).
“Significantly, this drilling was funded by the Russian state-backed Zarubezhneft, and the incident underscores the fact that Moscow’s energy interests in the South China Sea are increasingly being threatened by China.”
The drilling of the Singa Laut-2 exploration well in the Tuna block since last July was carried out by Premier Oil Tuna BV. In 2020, this company has obtained a partner to manage the Tuna Block in the Natuna waters, Zarubezhneft.
Zarubezhneft is a Russian state-owned oil and gas company that reportedly acquired a 50% participating interest through its subsidiary, ZN Asia Ltd. This acquisition made Premier Oil changed to Harbor Energy.
The Tuna Block is an oil and gas working area off the coast of Indonesia. This block is located in the Natuna Sea near the Vietnam border, with a water depth of about 110 meters.
This block itself has a strategic role for Indonesia’s geopolitics. Because it is located on the border with Vietnam and close to the South China Sea which is often a dispute for many surrounding countries.
The South China Sea is a disputed area between China and a number of Southeast Asian countries. China claims nearly 90% of this territory, which makes it tense with Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, including Indonesia.
CNBC Indonesia do some confirmation. The Head of Public Relations and Protocol of Bakamla RI Colonel Bakamla Wisnu Pramandita opened his voice regarding the report.
“Basically it doesn’t bother them. They just sail around, in and out of the continental shelf area,” said Vishnu via text message to CNBC Indonesia.
According to Wisnu, the continental shelf is not a sovereign territory, only sovereign rights. However, Bakamla and TNI AL ships continue to patrol around the rig to ensure the safety of exploration activities.
When asked whether it was okay if the Chinese ship entered the continental shelf area, Wisnu confirmed. As long as they do not interfere with exploration activities.
“Our right in that area is indeed the right to explore and exploit natural resources below the earth’s surface or oil and gas,” he concluded.
Actually CNBC Indonesia also asked this to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu). But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson said his party still had to examine this issue first.
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