(Corrects designation of official to upstream oil and gasdirector, not director general, in third paragraph)
JAKARTA, June 10 (Reuters) - Indonesia's state energy firmPertamina is interested in acquiring a stake in theAbadi floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project currentlybeing developed by Japan's Inpex and Royal Dutch Shell, an energy ministry official said.
The Abadi project is situated in the Masela block nearIndonesia's border with northern Australia. Inpex is looking fora 20-year extension to operate Masela up until 2048 from thecurrent expiry schedule of 2028.
"Informally, Pertamina said they were interested in owning astake in the Masela block, because this is a new block and ithas big potential," Upstream Oil and Gas Director Djoko Siswantotold reporters on Wednesday.
Production at the Abadi LNG development is expected to beginin 2022, three years later than planned. (Reporting by Wilda Asmarini, Writing by Fergus Jensen; Editingby Himani Sarkar)