SEISMIC EXPLORATION IN WEST PAPUA, AN AREA OF SENSITIVE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

摘要

Chevron was awarded the West Papua I & III PSCs in Fakfak and Kaimana regencies, West Papua Irovince in the 2008 bid round. The PSCs comprise of onshore and offshore areas that are subject to technical and socio - cultural challenges for exploration. Acquiring continuous seismic data from marine, transition zone into land-jungle environments is already a very technically challenging job. The land and jungle belonging to various indigenous people that live in remote and isolated villages present additional challenges. Government law no. 32/2004 delegates more power to the local government and the special autonomy status of Papua requires oil companies to work more closely with the local population to explore their land. Local communities also demand seismic activity to involve and benefit the locals, and protect their economic resources environment. There are four major tribes living in over 35 villages in the seismic lines area, the Madewana, Oberauw, Irarutu, and Karas tribes. Each tribe has their own social structure, culture and traditions that should be honored to allow the seismic crew to acquire data in their ulayat land and sea. Any wrongdoing that could be considered as an offense to 'adat '(custom, tradition) by the tribes may cause people to stop the operations. In order to meet seismic operation socio-environment goals, good team work is vital between oil companies, seismic contractors, local communities and universities, as well as local government support and central government (BPMIGAS) representation.