Indonesia may involve Azerbaijan's SOCAR in oil and gas exploration, production in East Java - ambassador

BAKU. Oct 12 (Interfax) - Indonesia is considering involving the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR) in oil and gas exploration and production in East Java province, Indonesian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Berlian Helmy said.

"There are five cooperation projects between Indonesia and Azerbaijan. The first area is cooperation in the oil and gas sector. The first project within this area provides for establishing cooperation between the Indonesian company Minarak Brantas Gas and Azerbaijan's SOCAR in the field of oil and gas exploration and production in East Java in Indonesia," the ambassador said in an interview with the Azerbaijani state agency Azertag.

The second project provides for Indonesia's import of oil and gas products from Azerbaijan, he said.

"The main goal in this area is to strengthen existing cooperation between the two countries. The third project provides for developing cooperation in the oil and gas sector between Indonesia's state oil company Pertamina and Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR," he said.

He also reported on the intention to develop cooperation in the agricultural sector.

"Establishing cooperation in the field of seed production development and seed cultivation is envisaged. Another important area is cotton imports. Indonesia intends to import cotton from Azerbaijan," the ambassador said.

Work is currently underway to establish contacts with various companies to set up cooperation in the agricultural sector, he said.

SOCAR has been supplying oil to Indonesia since 2007.

SOCAR and Indonesia's Pertamina signed a memorandum of cooperation in 2019. In April 2021, the energy ministries of Azerbaijan and Indonesia concluded a memorandum of understanding in the field of energy cooperation.