ExxonMobil Vice President, Maman Budiman said the exploration in the areas would still be aimed at seeking oil reserve potentials.
Exploration in the four areas is also part of efforts to find new oil sources following declining national production of oil, he said.
Maman said investors still needed certainty with regard to oil contracts with the authorities, meaning deals that have been put in the contract must be commonly agreed and implemented consistently.
This is what is now being discussed at the IPA meeting so that no problem would happen or changes were made in the middle of working period, he said. After all investors also wish their money will return, Maman said.
West Sulawesi governor Anwar Adnan Saleh, meanwhile said he fully supported the exploration to be done by EMOI in his region in spite of some negative reaction from the people towards the project.
Maman said the reaction could still be overcome through adaptation of exploration benefits for the local people and allocation of Corporate Social Responsibility funds for the region.
The people would also enjoy the benefit of the oil exploration, he said.
