TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned energy company Pertamina has signed a memorandum of understanding with its Algerian partner Sonatrach. Pertamina's vice president for corporate communication Wianda Pusponegoro said the two companies will cooperate to produce oil and gas a number of blocks in Algeria.

"We are expanding our cooperation because there are potentials we can work on together," he told Tempo in Jakarta, Thursday, September 29.

Wianda said the MoU was signed by Pertamina president director Dwi Soetjipto some time ago. This cooperation is carried out after seeing the opportunities for exploration and production in Algeria, Indonesia, as well as other countries.

According to him, Pertamina sees there are three possible types of cooperation to take; joint venture, consortium for biddings, or tapping the downstream sector.

"We are working together for the oil and gas services between the two countries," she said.

Wianda said Pertamina and Sonatrach also see opportunities to cooperate in the research and development for capability enhancement and experts-exchange. "We can go there as an expert, or they can come here as an expert," he said.

In August, Pertamina completed the acquisition of 24.5% stake in French oil and gas company Maurel et Prom. Pertamina currently is exploring to operate and get into Maurel et Prom's block management.

Maurel has control over several blocks that are already producing and exploring. The blocks are located in a number of countries, including Canada, France, Italy, Myanmar, Namibia, Colombia, and Gabon. "This is a huge opportunity for Pertamina," said Wianda.

DIKO OKTARA