Completing the Pertamina Refinery Project Requires Investors

Refinery investment reaches the US $ 40 billion

PT Pertamina (Persero) needs partners in funding all fuel refinery projects targeted for completion in 2026-2027. This is because the company's finances are unable to finance the investment needs of the refinery project, which is estimated at the US $ 48 billion.

Director of PT Pertamina International Refinery Ignatius Tallulembang said, as the Processing and Petrochemical Subholding of Pertamina, it was targeting to become the best processing and petrochemical company in the Southeast Asia region. 

    This was achieved by increasing Pertamina's refinery capacity to 1.8 million barrels per day (BPD) or the largest in the region. Investment needs to increase the capacity of the refinery from the current 1 million BPD to 1.8 million BPD, he said, reached the US $ 48-50 billion.

"If you use Pertamina's own funds, of course, you can't. So in building a refinery, Pertamina really needs a partner. Because in addition to funding shares, risk-sharing can be shared, "he said.

Tallulembang explained, in the partnership the company will also continue to issue cash. However, financing refinery projects will also be borne by partners. Pertamina opened two partnership schemes, namely strategic partners (strategic investors) and financial (financial investors).

"The point is that this strategic investor is a well-known oil and gas company and has built refineries. Usually, they are involved from the start, they will bring technology and expertise. They also usually have special requirements, for example offering crude oil or joint marketing, "he explained.

Furthermore, financial partners are usually only involved in funding. According to Tallulembang, the financial partners did not intervene too much on the project and gave Pertamina the flexibility to run its business.

"The important thing is the profit we will share [with financial partners] when dividend distribution," he said.

Rosneft Oil Company Russia

So far, Pertamina has partnered with Rosneft Oil Company as a strategic partner in the Tuban Refinery Project in East Java Province. Then, Pertamina has partnered with K-Sure and Exim Bank of South Korea as financial partners and is exploring similar cooperation with Mubadala Investment Company.

But the company is also still looking for partners to complete the Bontang Refinery Project in East Kalimantan Province and Cilacap Refinery in Central Java Province. 

    Pertamina was assigned by the government to work on the Balongan Refinery Project in West Java Province, Balikpapan Refinery in East Kalimantan, Bontang Refinery also in East Kalimantan, Cilacap Refinery in Central Java, and Tuban Refinery in East Java.

Mubadala Investment Company.

After the entire refinery project is completed in 2026-2027, in addition to the processing capacity increasing to 1.8 million BPD, the refinery will also produce 1.5 million BPD of fuel and 8,600-kilo tons of petrochemical products per annum.

Private Role

Not only the partnership scheme, Tallulembang added that the development of national refineries can also be done by involving the private sector or through the Cooperation between the Government and Business Entity (KPBU). This scheme has been regulated in a law, where private business entities can work together to build refineries with Pertamina as the person in charge.

"Unfortunately this scheme has not yet been used even though it is very possible, and Pertamina can take products from refineries built. The government as an off-taker when domestic energy demand is still high is still needed, "he said.

The Director of Oil and Gas Engineering and Environment of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Soerjaningsih revealed, since 2001, many national private companies have obtained permits to build fuel refineries. However, the huge investment costs, high technology, land issues, crude oil supply, and product off-takers are constraints so that not even one refinery has been realized.

In the assignment of refinery construction to Pertamina, the government opened up opportunities for cooperation for domestic and foreign companies.

"So Pertamina can partner with private entities, domestic and foreign, it is possible for that. We also provide many facilities, both for the assignment scheme and the PPP, "said Soerjaningsih.

Funding facilities include state capital participation (PMN), retained earnings, government loans, bond issuance, and loans with government guarantees. While the fiscal incentives include a 100% Tax Holiday, taxes in the framework of imports, as well as income tax facilities.

Chairman of the Association of Oil and Gas Companies (Aspermigas) John S Karamoy said many national private entrepreneurs were interested in building small-capacity refineries or mini-refineries. 

   However, he admitted that the refinery development plan met with many obstacles, one of which was the certainty of off-takers or buyers of refinery products. This can be overcome if the private refinery business gets a processing deal or a processing agreement from Pertamina.

"Private refineries that will be built can also be accelerated, which is important to get a processing deal, namely this refinery will process only where Pertamina's ready-to-sell products and refinery owners only get processing fees [processing fees]," he explained.

He said he was pushing for plans to build mini refineries in eight clusters again. Because the plan was announced by the government a few years ago, but it hasn't started yet. These eight clusters are North Sumatra, Maluku Long Strait, Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, South Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, and Maluku.

"We, together with Regionally Owned Enterprises, want to realize and hope that the eight units can be completed in 2027," said John.

Investor Daily, Page-10, Monday, June 29, 2020

2019, Pertamina Oil and Gas Production 901 BOEPD

PT Pertamina (Persero) recorded oil and gas production last year of 901 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day / BOEPD, below the target set by 922 thousand BOEPD. However, the company was able to increase its oil and gas reserves to 309 million barrels of oil equivalent or 44% higher than the target.

   

     Pertamina Corporate Communication Vice President Fajriyah Usman said the company focused on working on the oil and gas blocks it manages to improve the performance of the upstream business.

Last year, the company succeeded in realizing 322 development wells and 14 exploration wells, carrying out 751 wells and maintaining 13,683 wells. So that the realization of oil and gas production last year was 901 thousand BOEPD.

"The oil and gas production of 901 thousand BOEPD is 414 thousand barrels per day (BPD) of oil and 487 thousand BOEPD of gas," She said

The realization of Pertamina's production is below the target set at 922 thousand BOEPD. For the realization of oil production, recorded in accordance with the target 414 thousand BPD. However, the realization of gas production of 487 thousand BOEPD was only 95.87% of the target of 508 thousand BOEPD.

Meanwhile, when compared to the 2018 performance, the realization of the company's oil and gas production declined. Because, in 2018, Pertamina managed to book oil and gas production of 921 thousand BOEPD. 

    The company's gas production last year was lower than in 2018 which amounted to 529 thousand BOEPD. However, the company's oil production last year rose 5.6% compared to 2018 which amounted to 392 thousand BPD.

Fajriyah explained, the company's oil and gas production was less than optimal due to technical obstacles that occurred in a number of production facilities. One of the obstacles is the lack of optimum compressor facilities in Pertamina's assets in Algeria, which is managed by PT Pertamina Internasional EP (PIEP) due to the high ambient temperature conditions.

"But what needs to be noted is that even without a substantial acquisition, in 2019, Pertamina was able to withstand the decline in oil and gas production by carrying out various activities such as drilling well development and aggressively reworking wells," She said.

She hopes the company's oil and gas production performance in the coming year will continue to increase. In addition to domestically, Pertamina is also actively producing oil and gas from its 13 oil and gas fields spread across Asia, America, and Europe.

In 2019, the realization of the oil production of foreign assets was recorded at 104 thousand BPD and 273 million standard cubic feet per day / MMSCFD gas. This step is Pertamina's effort to achieve national oil production of 1 million BPD and 4,000 MMSCFD of gas. 

      Meanwhile, in the new and renewable energy sector, Pertamina's geothermal production in 2019 reached 4,292 gigawatt-hours (GWh), up 3% compared to 2018 which recorded 4,182 GWh.

Investor Daily,  Page-10, Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Rokan Drilling Keeps Target Lifting

The Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) is projecting drilling of 200 wells in the Rokan Block to maintain the lifting target next year.

the Rokan Block by Chevron

"In the Rokan Block, we are targeting the drilling of 200 wells by 2021," said SKK Migas Head Dwi Soetjipto.

PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia

At present, SKK Migas is still seeking investment certainty from PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia and Pertamina in the transition period over management. According to Dwi, this needs to be done to prevent production cuts when Pertamina enters as Rokan Block manager in August 2021.

Previously, Pertamina revealed that it would drill 44 wells following the management of the Rokan Block in August next year. PT Pertamina Corporate Communication VP Fajriyah Usman explained, with the additional drilling in stages, Pertamina would contribute around 60% to national oil and gas production in 2021.

Fajriyah Usman

"Pertamina is aware of the objective conditions in the Rokan Working Area that are already mature, so it is committed to holding back the pace of production decline," She said.

To support the drilling target, Pertamina made a number of preparations such as the procurement of logistics, rigs, and crew to ensure it could drill directly after the process of management transfer was complete. On the other side, SKK Migas ensured that oil and gas lifting in 2021 will be lower than this year, due to the influence of the corona pandemic (Covid-19).

SKK Migas pegged to oil and gas lifting next year at 1.71 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), which includes 705,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) of petroleum and 1.01 million boepd of gas. As of May 2020, the realization of oil and gas lifting reached 1.71 million boepd. This figure is still equivalent to 88.996 of the APBN target of 1.95 million boepd and 99% of the Work Plan & Budget (WP and B) target of 1.80 million boepd.

"It is estimated that by the end of the year lifting will only be 1.70 million boepd," Dwi said.

Kontan,  Page-13, Friday, June 19, 2020

See Pertamina's New Structure

Friday, June 12, 2020, became a special day for PT Pertamina (Persero), because at that time through the General Meeting of Shareholders (GMS) held virtually during the Covid-19 pandemic, the structure of this oil and gas BUMN changed.

Although there have been many speculations circulating before, starting from the very hot one, namely the issue of replacing the President Director to the changes in the composition of the directors, the results gave many surprises. The government decided to keep Nicke Widyawati as President Director. For this, the government has its own reasons.

Nicke Widyawati

"So far, Nicke Widyawati is still the best as Pertamina's Managing Director, because it is able to carry out the tasks assigned," said SOE Minister Erick Thohir.

SOE Minister Erick Thohir

The government has also streamlined the number of directors from 11 to six, and the nomenclature of the position of directors of the state-owned oil and gas company has also been changed namely the finance director, director of logistics and infrastructure, director of human resources, director of business support and director of the portfolio strategy and new ventures.

What made the public ask was when the AGM abolished the positions of upstream director, corporate marketing director, retail marketing director, processing director, and director of processing and petrochemical megaprojects.

No wonder, considering that this position is very strategic for Pertamina which incidentally has a core business in the oil and gas sector. In addition, Pertamina also has a 'big project' which is building a number of oil refineries. However, it turns out the government wants the special business to be handled by a subsidiary (sub-holding).

"The establishment of this sub-holding is to integrate Pertamina's business which is handled by a number of its subsidiaries to become one focus," said Erick.

Fajriyah Usman

Pertamina Corporate Communication Vice President Fajriyah Usman explained, as holding Pertamina's duties would be directed at managing portfolios and business synergies throughout the Pertamina Group, accelerating the development of new businesses and running national programs.

Whereas the sub-holding will play a role to encourage operational excellence through the development of scale and synergy of each business, accelerate the development of existing business and business capabilities as well as increase the ability and flexibility in partnership and funding that is more profitable for the company.

Through this new structure, Pertamina is expected to become more agile, focused, and faster in developing world-class capabilities in its business. This is expected to accelerate the growth of the business scale to become a leading global energy company with a market value of US $ 100 billion and to be a driver of social development in 2024. 

    Energy Watch Executive Director Mamit Setiawan assesses the change in nomenclature within the new organization in Pertamina, as the efforts of the Ministry of SOEs in making Pertamina more efficient and better.

Sub Holdings

The five sub-holding companies are upstream sub-holding whose operations are handed over by PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), gas sub-holding by PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) Tbk, processing and petrochemical sub-holding by PT Kilang Pertamina International, electricity holding sub-companies and renewable energy by PT Pertamina Power Indonesia, PT Patra Niaga's commercial and marketing sub-holding, and shipping sub-holding by PT Pertamina International Shipping.

     Pertamina President Director Nicke Widyawati said that the transformation was carried out to prepare Pertamina's business lines to develop and be independent. Because at present Pertamina's business scope is very broad with different challenges and competitions and has specific risks of each.

"Therefore, with this sub-holding, every business can move faster and agile to develop world-class capabilities and business scale growth that will support Pertamina to become a leading global energy company with a market value of US $ 100 billion," said Nicke.

If you pay attention, the composition of Pertamina's sub-holding is not much different compared to that of other foreign oil and gas companies such as Petronas Malaysia and PTT Thailand. 

   In Petronas for example, there are 5 sub-holding companies including Upstream namely Petronas Carigali, International Business namely Petronas International Corporation, Downstream Business namely Petronas Chemical Group Berhad, Marketing, and Trading Business by Petronas Trading Corporation, and Power Business by Petronas Power. Regarding this matter, Mamit considers that there are indeed similarities with Petronas.

"Yes, I see it almost the same concept," he said.

He also agreed if one of the sub-holding conducted an IPO.

"Petronas has a shipping sub-holding named MISC Berhad and has an IPO and has now traveled everywhere," he said.

Another innovation made by the government and Pertamina is to place a number of young workers in strategic sub-holding positions. One of them, Mars Ega as Director of Business Planning and Development in the Commercial and Trading sub-holding. This 41-year-old young man said that this was a big challenge.

"But it must be realized that sooner or later a company needs regeneration, so what is more important is that every young worker must prepare well to become a successor to the company's management," he said.

He felt the benefits of Pertamina's talent development programs, especially in developing business and leadership competencies.

"This also shows that the company does not only look at the seniority side in the process of determining the position, hopefully, but this can also be an encouragement for other friends to make more achievements," he explained.

Investor Daily,  Page-12, Wednesday, June 17, 2020

WMIP Industrial Estate Supports the Entry of Oil and Gas Investment in Batam

PT Batam Sentralindo (PT BS) as the developer of the Westpoint Maritime Industrial Park (WMIP) industrial area, supports the efforts of the Indonesian government and the Riau Islands Provincial Government (Riau Islands) to make Batam an investment destination in the oil and gas sector. PT BS also opened itself to be able to cooperate with investors who will invest in Batam.

"We have built and developed the WMIP industrial area which has a strategic location in Batam. A portion of the 75-hectare WMIP area has also been leased by Sinopec Group for the construction of an oil depot with a capacity of 2.6 million m3, "said Senior Manager of PT Batam Sentralindo Paulus Khierawan.

Paulus explained the location of the WMIP industrial area is only about 4.8 km from the Straits of Melaka with a sea depth of 23-25 ​​meters. With its strategic location and competitive advantage, this industrial area can accommodate 300,000 DWT VLCC-Very Large Crude Carriers. In Accordance with Industrial Estate Business Licenses (IUKI) owned, the WMIP area can be developed up to 320 hectares.

"There is an area of ​​245 hectares that is being worked on for the expansion area at WMIP that can be used for the construction of oil refineries, downstream sectors such as petrochemicals, and also methanol plants that use feedstock from Natuna natural gas. As developers, we open ourselves to invite the entry of oil and gas investors to Batam which is also a Free Trade Zone and Free Port Zone (FTZ), "explained Paulus.

As one of the leading industrial estates in Batam, WMIP has received the status of Construction Direct Investment (KLIK) from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). 

    This KLIK status also proves that the WMIP area has fulfilled the infrastructure facilities and facilities standards set by BKPM. With the KLIK facility, the project's physical construction can be directly carried out simultaneously with the licensing process through the assistance of industrial estate management.

"As WMIP developers, we are always compliant and obedient to follow the applicable rules and regulations. The administrative order we always carry out is part of a commitment to provide legal certainty for investors who will invest in WMIP, "Paulus said.

Investor Daily,  Page-10, Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Pertamina will Release PHE to the Stock Exchange

PT Pertamina (Persero) states that one of the sub holdings prepared to be offered to the public is upstream sub-holding which is operated by PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE). This strategy is to increase the company's oil and gas production to be better.

PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE)

Pertamina President Director Nicke Widyawati said, in managing oil and gas blocks, the company usually also partners with other companies. The reason is, by working with other companies, oil and gas production can be more optimal. 

Nicke Widyawati

   In fact, to work on the Rokan Block, the government requires Pertamina to partner with other companies. This is also the basis for the company to prepare upstream sub-holding for the IPO.

"The first thing we will see [for IPO] is upstream sub-holding," said Nicke Widyawati.

Nicke Widyawati explained, many of the company's upstream assets still have the potential to be developed. However, the development of oil and gas blocks requires huge funding. In the future, around 60% of the company's total budget will be used to fund the upstream oil and gas project.

"So, later the funds obtained from the IPO will be used for upstream investment," Nicke said.

Upstream oil and gas investment, called Nicke Widyawati, is not limited to the upstream oil and gas assets owned by the company. Funds from the IPO will also be used to add new upstream oil and gas assets.

"Our IPO will use the funds for the upstream acquisition," said Nicke Widyawati.

At the end of last year, the company had budgeted funds for the acquisition of oil and gas blocks of US $ 150 million this year. Although it is not yet certain which block is targeted, the company is eyeing assets in Africa and the Middle East.

Energy observers from Trisakti University Pri Agung Rakhmanto rate, the IPO step is very good to improve corporate governance, because it must be more open. IPO is also good to be able to raise funds from third parties (public).

"For Pertamina's upstream, which does require strengthening funds for investment, this is positive. When it comes to performance, that's another thing, it also depends on how to run the company, "he said.

Regarding Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution which states that production branches which are important for the State and which control the lives of many people are controlled by the State, according to him, it does not become an issue if the IPO does not relinquish the majority of share ownership.

"As long as the majority shares are still in the country, in my opinion, more positive," said Pri Agung.

He added Pertamina was not the first oil and gas BUMN to be listed on the exchange. At present, there are already many other state-owned oil and gas companies listed on the stock exchange, such as Petrobras which is a Brazilian oil and gas BUMN, Petronas Malaysia, YPF Argentina, Statoil Norway, and Saudi Aramco Saudi Arabia.

Management of Oil and Gas Blocks

In addition to the IPO plan, Pertamina is also restructuring its oil and gas block management. Nicke explained, after the sub-holding was formed, the management of the oil and gas block would be done by region. Previously, despite being in one area, the management of the oil and gas block was carried out by a different subsidiary. For example in Sumatra, there are oil and gas blocks managed by PHE and PT Pertamina EP.

"We think this should be managed in synergy and coordination, so there can be efficiency. For this reason, under the sub-holding [oil and gas block] is managed in a way regionalization, "explained Nicke Widyawati.

In this way, all resources and equipment procurement can be synergized. All this time due to being separate, procurement of tools such as rigs has become difficult and long. This is because among subsidiaries scrambling to find rigs, while the number of rigs in the market is limited. 

    Other parties are also reluctant to increase the number of rigs because the company's procurement contracts tend to be short-term. These problems have become one of the causes of exploration and achievement of upstream oil and gas production below the target.

"This is how we manage all assets more efficiently and at the same time, improve our products and services," said Nicke.

It also wants to encourage investment in rig procurement in the country. Under the upstream sub-holding, there are several subsidiaries that will work on Pertamina's oil and gas blocks in certain areas. 

    Precisely, Pertamina EP will manage the company's oil and gas block in Java, PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia will work on upstream oil and gas assets in Kalimantan, Pertamina EP Cepu (PEPC) will handle oil and gas working areas in Eastern Indonesia, and PT Pertamina International EP continues to manage oil and gas blocks outside the country.

Dwi Seotjipto

Head of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) Dwi Seotjipto said, his party would see Pertamina's explanation of organizational changes in upstream sub-holding, mainly related to the authority of each operator in Pertamina's oil and gas block. The reason is that the Production Sharing Contract / PSC signed by the government is the company that is the operator.

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

"With the sub-holding, we will later see its authority in investment as well as the implementation and operation of the oil and gas block concerned," Dwi Seotjipto said.

Regarding the implementation of the contract, this depends on the bureaucracy established by Pertamina in the presence of this sub-holding. If the bureaucracy and decision-making are simpler, and the authority of the oil and gas block operator can be supported, there will be no problems.

"Hopefully it is better, the important thing is that the bureaucracy is not long, so the investment step is faster," Dwi said.

Investor Daily,  Page-10, Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Oil Lifting 2020 Predicted 705 Thousand BPD

The Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) projects national production of ready-to-sell oil (facelift) up to the end of the year to only reach 705,000 barrels per day (BPD) or more than the security of the security of the food security) by 755,000 BPD. 

   

  This is through with the Covid-19 pandemic. However, SKK Migas is starting to commit to a recovery starting next year. In 2030, oil is targeted to reach 1,000,000 BPD.

"Applying 705,000 BPD that makes sense, we can obtain in 2020. Raise the challenge we are discussing is restoring next year so that next year does not decline again," said SKK Migas Head Dwi Soejipto.

Dwi Soejipto

Dwi said the raised projections were from 15 cooperation contract contractors (KKKS) representing 96% of the national production line. In the first place was occupied by Mobil Cepu LTD then accepted by PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI) with the Rokan Block.

PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI)

Although Chevron finished managing the Rokan Block in August 2021, efforts to optimize production are still carried out. It was estimated that it would have decreased by 20 thousand BPD but until the end of May, it could still produce 180 thousand BPD. 

the Rokan Block from Chevron (CPI)

    He said SKK Migas was guarding the transition period for the management of the Rokan Block from Chevron (CPI) to Pertamina. This is to avoid a decrease in production as happened in the Mahakam Block.

the Mahakam Block

"We hope that by the end of the year we will be able to optimize easily. Currently, it is still being discussed with CPI so that they can invest again in this transition period, "he said.

Dwi further agreed to wait for oil and gas projects scheduled to be completed this year. In the third quarter of 2020, a number of migration projects began production, the Malacca Strait Project Phase-1, the Beauty Field in the Belida Block, the Betung Compressor Project and Musi Timur SKG-19, the Meliwis Field in the Madura Offshore Block, and the Peciko Field in the Mahakam Block.

 

"We are optimistic that the additional production from these projects will help achieve the year-end appointment target," Dwi said.

In 2020, SKK Migas starts 11 oil and gas projects can start onstream. To date, five oil and gas projects have been approved and can provide additional oil production of 3,182 BPD and gas 109.5 million standard cubic feet per day / MMSCFD.

Dwi further revealed that there were 4 national strategic projects among Tangguh Train 3, which began at the completion of 2020 essence, until the end of III or the end of 2021. Realization until May 2020 was approved for land 82.45% of the target of 83.15% and offshore 98.15% offshore 98.15% of the target of 99.35%.

Jambaran Tiung Biru

Then, Jambaran Tiung Biru is planned to be streamed from the third quarter of 2021 to the fourth quarter of 2021. Introduced until May yesterday received 64.54% of the 69.60% target. The next project is being prepared by Inpex Abadi Masela and expected to be streamed in 2027. 

Inpex Abadi Masela

   While the Indonesia Deepwater Development (IDD) project for the Gendalo and Gehem working areas is in the process of improving the consortium and developing a development plan (Po) to Development (PoD) to Development (Po)

Gendalo and Gehem Project by Chevron

Oil and Gas Potential

He explained, Indonesia has a huge oil and gas potential with 128 basins. Of these, 27 basins have been produced. He said there was a need to transform possible into the second package by declaring the production of one million barrels in 2030. He said the government was now more flexible for investors to choose the production sharing contract between Gross Split or Cost Recovery.

But he asked for legal protection made by the Oil and Gas Law to guarantee certainty for investors. Even though production reaches 1 barrel jute in 2030, by 2030 it is projected that the demand for fuel oil (BBM) reaches 2.7 million barrels. This means that industry support is needed for fuel oil to gas.

"There must be a policy that encourages using gas, getting relief from those who use fuel," Dwi said.

Investor Daily,  Page-1, Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Investment Management of Pertamina Refinery Project

      Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Pertamina Investment Management of Pertamina Refinery Project

The Maritime and Investment Coordinating Ministry will oversee all the refinery projects worked on by PT Pertamina (Persero). This follows the continued refurbishment of the Pertamina refinery project with its two partners, Saudi Aramco and Overseas Oil and Gas (OOG) Llc.

Deputy of Maritime Sovereignty and Energy of the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the refinery project will continue. Regarding the withdrawal of two Pertamina partners from the national refinery project, this does not mean that the interest of international oil and gas companies to work on refinery projects is minimal.

"I am still optimistic that refinery investment will continue if it is well guarded," he said.

CPC Corporation - Taiwan

He recounted that he participated in overseeing one of the Pertamina refinery projects in Balongan, West Java Province, which is a refinery project that processes crude oil into petrochemical products. He continued to convince Taiwan Petroleum Corporation (CPC) of Taiwan to continue working with Pertamina. In fact, with the fall in oil prices, some companies actually withhold investment.

For information, at the end of last week, Pertamina and CPC signed the Head of Agreement / HoA for the development of the Integrated Petrochemical Industry Complex in Balongan. The petrochemical project is targeted to start operating in 2026. Purbaya said that the refinery project has many obstacles. One of them is the oil and gas mafia which complicates the construction of refineries.

oil and gas mafia

"I realize that investing in refineries is huge. We are dealing with oil and gas mafia. We are escorted. This can take place well, "he said.

Meanwhile, Energy Observer from Trisakti University Pri Agung Rakhmanto revealed, the investor's decision to invest in a project is very dependent on the return on investment from the project. If the return on investment offered falls within their criteria and there is a guarantee of certainty, investors will also work on the project.

"That's the principle. As long as there are no bright spots, investors will look for other investments, "he stressed.

He suggested, because Indonesia, which needed this investment, should be able to provide a guaranteed rate of return on investment for the refinery project. Moreover, the partnership between Pertamina and other oil and gas companies will facilitate the completion of the refinery project.

"If it can be a partnership, why should it be alone? If in business and investment, partnerships will not only strengthen but also for risk sharing, "explained Pri Agung.

Previously, in February, Pertamina said that it would not continue to work together on the development of the Bontang Refinery with OOG. Pertamina and OOG did not extend the framework agreement / FWA which formed the basis for the two companies to form a joint venture.

Pertamina also did not continue to cooperate with Saudi Aramco in the project of upgrading and upgrading the Cilacap Refinery. The reason is that the oil and gas company originating from Saudi Arabia is still focused on working on other projects, while Pertamina hopes to be able to work on the refinery project soon.

Still interesting

Purbaya added, oil and gas companies are still interested in working on refinery projects in Indonesia. One of them is that there is a company from China that plans to build a refinery. Unfortunately, Purbaya claimed not to know the details of the refinery project, including its capacity.

"There is a Chinese company asking for our approval to support the investment of US $ 6 billion-US $ 8 billion in the Batam, Riau Islands region," he said.

According to him, it is likely that the Chinese company will work on the refinery project itself, aka not cooperating with Pertamina. However, for the sale of refinery products, it is possible that the company will cooperate with Pertamina.

"But they say they can also sell international markets. Therefore the choice is in the Riau Islands Region, near international shipping lines, "said Purbaya.

In addition, Purbaya added that investment interest in the national refinery project was also conveyed by companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), namely the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Mubadala Investment Company.

"So the enthusiasm and interest of investing in refineries is still very large," said Purbaya.

Referring to Pertamina's official statement, ADNOC agreed to learn more about the potential for developing the Integrated Petrochemical Refinery Complex in Balongan, West Java. Pertamina and Adnoc signed a memorandum of understanding at the end of last year.

the Tuban Refinery in East Java by Rosneft

While the Mubadala Investment Company is interested in becoming an investor in the Balikpapan Kalimantan Province Refinery Project worth the US $ 5.5 billion. In addition, Pertamina also continues to work on the Tuban Refinery in East Java with Rosneft Oil Company as its partner. 

    The two companies have formed joint ventures, namely PT Pertamina Rosneft Processing and Petrochemicals. Now the project has reached the stage of land acquisition and preparation of engineering design (general engineering design / DED).

Investor Daily, Page-10, Thursday, June 11, 2020.