(Yicai Global) Jan. 12 -- China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) has proposed to Indonesia's government that they together develop the natural gas block in East Natuna, Gong Bencai, president of CNPC International Indonesia, said on Wednesday in Jakarta, as China Central Television reported.

PetroChina Co. is working on an oilfield in Jambi in eastern Sumatra, so CNPC can solicit its help with the development of the East Natuna field, Gong noted.

CNPC International Indonesia is an affiliate of China National Petroleum. It started operations in Indonesia in 2002. Its daily oil production in the country reached 54,497 barrels last year.

Indonesia president Joko Widodo ordered the scaling up offshore oil exploration and commercial fishing operations near the Natuna Island in June 2016. Only five of the 16 blocks near the island have produced yields. Indonesia wants to expedite the process and start production in all the blocks, Widodo said. East Natuna is believed to be one of the largest undeveloped natural gas fields in the world with 222 trillion cubic feet.