Ripples in the North Natuna Sea

The drilling location is in the Tuna Block, which is part of the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEEI) at the northeastern end overlapping with China's Nine-Dash Line.

China is getting resentful as it sees Indonesia continuing to drill oil wells in the North Natuna Sea. The country has sent a diplomatic note protesting Indonesia’s drilling activity.

The exploration drilling was actually started in July by the United Kingdom’s operator Premier Oil, which is partly owned by Russia’s Zarubezhneft.