Jakarta. A senior official said Friday that Russian oil giant Zarubezhneft would resume its work in the North Natuna Sea’s Tuna Block this June after a pause to the project.

Deputy Energy Minister Yuliot Tanjung said he had spoken with Zarubezhneft officials about the resumption of work at the gas field during a visit to Kazan. The Tuna Block had faced a delay after Premier Oil -- a subsidiary of the UK-based Harbour Energy -- withdrew from the project. Harbour Energy had previously cited US and European sanctions.

“Zarubezhneft told us that it would remain committed to resuming the project next month,” Yuliot said, as reported by the state news agency Antara.

“The government will provide support for the continuation of this project.”

Zarubezhneft has had a 50% participating interest in the project via its subsidiary ZN Asia Ltd. The company has signaled interest in new projects with Indonesian oil and gas firms, including reactivating idle wells. Zarubezhneft has also asked Jakarta’s support to expedite the compliance process for firms that it had nominated to begin oil supply deliveries to Indonesia.

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