Indonesia has authorized the initial development plan for the Tuna offshore gas field with a total anticipated investment of USD3.07bn, as reported by Reuters on January 2. The Tuna field, which is situated in the South China Sea between Indonesia and Vietnam, is anticipated to achieve its peak production of 115m standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) in 2027. Starting in 2026, natural gas from the Tuna field, which is managed by a regional branch of Harbour Energy [PMO:LN], one of the United Kingdom’s largest independent oil and gas companies, will be exported to Vietnam.

Critics argue that the construction of the Tuna offshore gas field is risky as it may lead to environmental and political disputes. The South China Sea, which has an area of 3.477m square kilometers, is one of the world’s marine regions with the most abundant resources. The South China Sea is bordered by China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. In recent times, countries have conducted various forms of maritime activities such as fishing, dredging, and construction in this marine area, leading to serious environmental issues such as the destruction of coral reeds and the disruption of ecological balance.

Sources:

https://www.orfonline.org/research/in-deep-water-current-threats-to-the-marine-ecology-of-the-south-china-sea/d

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/indonesia-approves-3-bln-development-plan-south-china-sea-gas-block-2023-01-02/