The region is understood to have significant oil and gas potential and the legislative council of the Jaya Wijaya regency wants Conoco to be allowed to explore because exploration and production ventures could deliver hydrocarbons, revenues and jobs for people in the area.
Council officials added that the Forestry Commission should move the boundaries of the conservation area if necessary.
The park is a World Heritage site and the US operator had earlier decided it would not explore in the area, which covers part of its Warim production sharing contract onshore Irian Jaya, even though the boundary of the park was only extended into the PSC about a decade after it was awarded.
Conoco
