Indonesia’s Center for Marine Geological Research and Development (PPPGL), the research and development agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), conducted a sea trial of Geomarin III research vessel in the Sunda Strait.
This sea trial is a preparation for the identification of sedimentary basin research to support the preparation of oil and gas in Arafura Sea, south of Papua and OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) areas in Lembata waters, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).
The trials also involved testing of survey equipment used for geological and geophysical data collection. One of the survey methods used in this study is the 2D seismic survey. In addition to 2D seismic, a survey was conducted using a marine gravity meter. The sediment basin research conducted by PPPGL is expected to add data and information to support the preparation of WK Migas.
In addition, sea water temperature data was also taken as identification of OTEC potential data.
OTEC is part of renewable energy sourced from the difference in seawater temperature that is easily found in tropical marine waters.
OTEC potential in Indonesia is said to be the largest in the world, spread on the west coast of Sumatra, South Java, Sulawesi, North Maluku. Bali and Lembata NTT. PPPGL has reviewed and assessed the potential of OTEC at 17 locations by 41 GW.