Jakarta, Sept. 14 -- Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Ministry revealed that state-owned energy company PT Pertamina is exploring upstream oil and gas investment opportunities in Guyana and Suriname to diversify its supply sources and strengthen national energy security.

"Pertamina has already initiated exploratory discussions on cooperation in exploration and investment in the upstream oil and gas sectors of Guyana and Suriname," the ministry's Director General for American and European Affairs, Grata Endah Werdaningtyas, said during a press briefing here on Monday.

The initiative comes as offshore oil reserves off the northern coast of South America gain global prominence, with regional output projected to reach 200,000 barrels per day by ...