Upstream Oil and Gas Getting More Difficult

    The upstream oil and gas industry needs time to recover because contractors are still looking at the extent of the impact of the pandemic, which is currently booming.

    The Covid-19 pandemic, which was accompanied by a surge in new cases, forced the government to tighten people's mobility, making it more difficult for the upstream oil and gas industry to revive this year.

    This was acknowledged by the Head of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) Dwi Soetjipto who stated that the Covid-19 pandemic had put pressure on the upstream oil and gas industry. The implementation of a number of upstream oil and gas activities was finally hampered.

"Some upstream oil and gas activities have been delayed for 1 to 5 weeks," said Dwi.

    A number of disrupted activities include 234 kilometers (km) of 2D seismic surveys, 165 km² of 3D seismic, six exploration wells, 12 development wells, and three development projects.

    In an effort to support the increase in oil and gas production, until June 2021, 186 development wells have been drilled, 309 workover activities, and 11,307 well service activities have been carried out. The realization is still far below the target set.

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

    In 2021, SKK Migas targets drilling 616 development wells. This number increased from the realization in 2020 which was only 240 wells.

    For workover activities, SKK Migas targets 615 wells, while well service activities are targeted at 26,431 activities.

    Meanwhile, during the first semester of 2021, SKK Migas recorded that the realization of ready-to-sale production or oil and gas lifting reached an average of 1.63 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) or only reached 95.6% of the 2021 APBN target of 1. 71 boepd.

    Dwi explained that entering the beginning of the year, the upstream oil and gas industry had started with low achievements with a production reduction of 19,500 bopd.

    He said there were unplanned shutdowns in a number of work areas which resulted in a production reduction of 4,000 bopd and a delay in drilling and drilling results which reduced production by 5,000 bopd.

"The outlook can be 680,000 barrels of oil per day, gas from the targeted 5,600 MMscfd, the proposed KKKS 5,100 MMscfd, and the proposal can be 5,108 WP&B and because there is a low entry point, it is projected to reach 5,529 MMscfd," he explained.

    According to him, the Covid-19 pandemic has made operational activities inefficient due to a reduction in manpower in the field.

    From a financial point of view, the price of oil that had fallen last year has disrupted the cash flow of cooperation contract contractors (KKKS) so that investment activities have stalled.

"We need time because contractors are also looking at the extent of the impact of the pandemic, which is currently booming," he said.

    SKK Migas Deputy Operations Julius Wiratno added that the reduced mobility of people and equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic was indeed felt by the upstream oil and gas sector, which in turn had an impact on operational activities.

    According to him, throughout the year operational activities are still quite challenging. This will certainly affect the long-term program (LTP) that has been set by SKK Migas.

"The correlation with LTP will be corrected, we are setting terms and conditions from this year to increase next year, but in fact, we will decrease by 3% -4% from the estimate," he explained.

    Meanwhile, during the first 6 months of this year, there were 10 out of 15 KKKS that recorded lifting realizations below the target of this year's APBN.

EMCL

    ExxonMobil Cepu Limited (EMCL) recorded a red report card with the realization of oil lifting of 208,936 bopd. This record is still lower than the 2021 State Budget target set at 219,000 bopd.

Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI)

    Apart from ExxonMobil Cepu Limited (EMCL), another KKKS that are below the target is Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI) with a lifting realization of 160,646 bopd or only 97.4% of the 2021 APBN target, which is 165,000 bopd.

PT Pertamina EP

    PT Pertamina EP is also a KKKS that recorded a red performance with the realization of oil lifting only 71,420 bopd or 84% of the APBN target of 85,000 bopd.

Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ

    Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ Ltd recorded the realization of 27,615 bopd or 98.6% of the 2021 APBN target of 28,000 bopd.

    Another Pertamina group that recorded below-target performance was Pertamina Hulu Energi OSES with the realization of 24,594 bopd or 91.1% of the 2021 APBN target of 27,000 bopd.

    Pertamina Hulu East Kalimantan reported the realization of 9,174 bopd or 87.4% of the 2021 APBN target of 10,500 bopd.

    Minor results were also recorded by Pertamina Hulu Sanga-Sanga with a lifting of 11,807 bopd or 99.2% of the APBN target of 11,900%. BOB Bumi Siak Pusako-Pertamina Hulu only reached 95.9% of the APBN target of 9,000 bopd with a realization of 8,913 bopd.

Petrochina International Jabung Ltd

    Next is Petrochina International Jabung Ltd which recorded a Red report card with the realization of 14,823 bopd or 92.6% of this year's APBN target of 16,000 bopd.

    On the other hand, for the realization of natural gas lifting, almost all KKKS have succeeded in exceeding the target set in the 2021 State Budget. However, there are several KKKS experiencing gas absorption problems.

STILL DEPRESSED

    Executive Director of the National Oil and Gas Company Association (Aspermigas) Moshe Rizal believes that the Covid-19 pandemic has made operations in the field quite challenging.

    In addition, KKKS still do not dare to increase their investment during the Covid-19 pandemic. The problem is, even though production is already running, increasing production cannot be separated from the need for investment.

"The government must immediately overcome this pandemic so that operations can run normally again. At the very least, to restore investor interest, incentives must be provided,” he said.

    Meanwhile, ReforMiner Executive Director Komaidi Notonegoro said referring to the realization of Indonesia's lifting since 2000, the results obtained usually do not reach the target and lead to a downward trend.

    In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic that has occurred since last year has again made the lifting target set by the government difficult to achieve due to the disruption of operational activities.

"However, conditions before the pandemic had shown a downward trend," he explained.

Bisnis Indonesia, Page-4, Monday, July 19, 2021

Upstream Oil and Gas Insurance Claim Reaches US$ 48 Billion

    Claims paid by insurance consortiums for upstream oil and gas projects carried out by Cooperation Contract Contractors (KKKS) include industrial assets, wells and LNG assets, reaching around US$ 48 billion. In the future, the claim value is expected to increase in line with the improvement in the upstream oil and gas industry triggered by the increase in world crude oil prices.

"Our consortium (Jasindo being the leader) has provided protection for 128 off-shore and on-shore oil and gas blocks. This is a lot, and Alhamdulillah we can carry out our role to protect it very well," said Director of Strategic Business of PT Asuransi Jasa Indonesia (Jasindo), Syah Amandaris in a webinar entitled The Role of Insurance in Supporting Upstream Oil and Gas Activities.

    According to him, the insurance consortium has done a good job of providing protection in every project run by the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) or Cooperation Contract Contractors (KKKS).

"Several incidents that occurred in upstream oil and gas projects have made claims payments to project owners so that the losses experienced can be reduced," he said.

    Meanwhile, the claim value paid by the Insurance Consortium for SKK Migas and KKKS construction projects reached around US$ 524.16 million. He explained that from 2010 to 2021, the consortium, which is also led by PT Jasindo, has paid 121 claims for both assets and construction.

“If the number of claims is detailed, it consists of 97 claims for assets with a value of USD323.32 million. The remaining 24 claims are for construction projects with a value of US$ 200.83 million,” he said.

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

“We consortium play an important role in upstream oil and gas projects. It is conceivable that if the project is not insured, the cost incurred by the state through SKK Migas or KKKS is when undesirable things happen," he added.

    Furthermore, he said, from his experience in handling claims on upstream oil and gas projects, there are three examples of megaprojects whose insurance claims were successfully paid due to interruptions during project execution.

Eni

“The first is the Eni Muara Bakau BV offshore project – Jangkrik Gas Field Development Project in 2014 with a claim value of US$ 2.53 billion. Then BP Berau Ltd's offshore and onshore project – LNG Train 3 Tangguh Expansion Project in 2017 with a value of US$ 450 million (offshore) and US$2.5 billion (onshore),” he said.

PT Pertamina EP Cepu (PEPC)

"Then the onshore project PT Pertamina EP Cepu (PEPC) - Jambaran Tiung Biru Gas Unitization Project with a claim value of US $ 860.87 million in 2017 ago," Aris.

Investor Daily, Page-10, Thursday, July 15, 2021

Premier Oil Continues Tuna Block Development

    Premiere Oil Tuna BV continues the development of the Tuna Block on the Indonesian border with Vietnam, by drilling the Lion Sea-2 exploration well. The drilling of this well ensures the volume of the block's oil and gas reserves located in the Natuna waters.

Premiere Oil

    Secretary of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) Taslim Yunus appreciated Premiere Oil for continuing to develop the Tuna Block during the Covid-19 pandemic. He hopes that the drilling of exploration wells in the block can produce oil and gas reserves according to the target.

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

"The drilling has been carried out according to the planned schedule, and has started on Sunday (July, 3)," he said.

    He explained the target depth of the Sea Lion-2 drilling is 9,566 feet measure depth /FtMD. After that, Premier will continue drilling exploration wells at Kuda Laut-2 Field with a target depth of 10,452 feet from the seabed (true vertical depth subsea/TVDSS). The drilling of these two wells includes deep-sea drilling or 1,000 meters below sea level.

"From the two wells, it is hoped that there will be additional proven gas reserves of around 470 BCF (billion cubic feet / billion cubic feet)," said Taslim.

    Previously, Premier Oil had carried out 2D and 3D seismic acquisitions. The British oil and gas company has also drilled four exploration wells, namely the North Elephant Sea-1, North Sea Eel-1, Sea Horse-1, and Sea Lion-1. This activity is part of the implementation of definite commitments that must be fulfilled by Premiere Oil.

    In the Tuna Block, referring to the Premiere Oil website, there are two fields to be developed, namely the Sea Horse Field and the Sea Lion Field. Based on data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, oil reserves in the Tuna Block reach 2,127 million barrels and gas at 12.36 billion cubic feet. 

    Meanwhile, the block area reaches 2,450.29 square kilometers. The Tuna Block has a strategic role in Indonesia's geopolitics because it is located on the border with Vietnam and close to the South China Sea.

"Utilizing the potential of oil and gas in the area is part of the support for the upstream oil and gas industry in an effort to assert Indonesia's sovereignty in border areas," said Taslim.

Investor Daily, Page-10, Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Electricity Supply for Rokan Block, PLN Officially Acquires MCTN Shares

    PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) (Persero) officially acquired 100% shares of PT Mandau Cipta Tenaga Nusantara (MCTN) which is owned by Chevron Standard Limited. 

    This acquisition is proof of PLN's commitment to maintaining the continuity of the Rokan Block electricity supply, both during the transition period and in the long term. Moreover, the Rokan Block is the backbone of national oil production.

The Rokan Block Chevron

    The acquisition process was marked by the signing of a sales and purchase agreement (SPA) by the Director of Commerce and Customer Management of PLN, Bob Sariel, and Regional Director of Chevron Standard Limited, Jennifer Ferratt, online.

Director of Chevron Standard Limited, Jennifer Ferratt

    This agreement was also witnessed by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, Deputy Minister I of BUMN Pahala Nugraha Mansury, Head of SKK Migas Dwi Soetjipto, President Commissioner of PLN Amien Sunaryadi, President Director of PLN Zulkifli Zaini, and the management of Chevron Standard Limited as the majority shareholder of MCTN.

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

    Zulkifli said that the acquisition of the MCTN shares is proof of PLN's commitment to maintaining the continuity of the Rokan Block electricity supply, both during the transition period and in the long term. Moreover, the Rokan Block is the backbone of national oil production.

the Rokan Block Chevron

    As is known, the management of the Rokan Block from August 9, 2021, will shift from PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI) to PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR). So far, the electricity and steam supply for the Rokan Block comes from the North Duri Cogen Gas Power Plant (PLTG) with a capacity of 300 Megawatts (MW) which was previously owned by MCTN, a subsidiary of Chevron Standard Limited (CSL).

PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI)

"We would like to thank Chevron Standard Limited (CSL) for the good cooperation and for the good electricity in the Rokan Work Area as long as it is managed by Chevron Pacific Indonesia," said Zulkifli virtually in Jakarta.

    The acquisition of MCTN shares is a follow-up to the cooperation agreement between PLN and PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) which was included in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Provision of Electricity and Steam for the Rokan Region on December 30, 2020, and the Sale and Purchase Agreement for Electricity and Steam on January 29, 2021.

    Zulkifli hopes that, through the signing of the sale and purchase of shares, a good partnership can be established as the first step in building partnerships and cooperation between PLN and Chevron Standard Limited (CSL) in the future. 

    In the future, this power plant will be used for three years to serve electricity needs in the Rokan Block. Both during the transition period together with PLTG Migas and Central Duri until finally it will be supplied from the Sumatra interconnection system.

“In the long term, reliable and competitive supply of 400 MW of electricity in the Rokan Block will be supplied from the Sumatra and 335 MBSPD Steam system using the New Steam Generator. Within 3 years the interconnection of the system and the New Steam Generator will be fully operational," he added.

    In addition, the provision of reliable electricity supply from the Sumatra System to the Rokan Block is carried out from three sources.

"PLN prioritizes aspects of safety, reliability, quality, and efficiency in meeting the energy needs of the upstream oil and gas industry," he said.

    PLN as a BUMN that is given the mandate in the electricity sector, has an obligation to meet electricity needs and provide the best service for all customers, including industrial customers, one of which is the oil and gas sector, both from upstream and downstream.

“PLN as the most experienced electricity provider in Indonesia has a special design and strategy in providing electricity for the oil and gas industry. Currently and in future plans, PLN's large systems such as Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi have a very large reserve margin (40-50%) to be able to serve the needs of the oil and gas industry," said Zulkifli.

    Regional Director of Chevron Standard Limited, Jennifer Ferratt said, with the completion of this process, it is hoped that the transition at MCTN can take place smoothly and in line with the transition of the Rokan Block to PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR).

    Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif added that the Rokan Block has huge potential for oil reserves. Therefore, to be able to provide maximum benefits for the country, a good strategy is needed. With this agreement, PLN will continue to use the North Duri Cogen PLTG before the Rokan WKB electricity supply is supplied by the Sumatra system interconnection network.

“PLN must ensure a guaranteed electricity supply for the Rokan Block so that Pertamina is able to maintain the sustainability of the production of 25% of the national oil. Therefore, power plants must be reliable with more efficient costs, so that they can provide much better benefits for the nation and state," he said.

    The Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Pahala Nugraha Mansury, also appreciated PLN and CSL for successfully completing the transfer of ownership of MCTN. He also hopes that the transition process in this one month can go hand in hand with the Rokan working area from Chevron to Pertamina smoothly.

“The Rokan Block is very strategic for Indonesia because it produces 25% of the national oil production. So far, the majority of electrical energy has been supplied by MCTN's power plants. So this agreement is very important to ensure the electricity supply for the Rokan Block in the future," he added.

Support Pertamina's Production

    Meanwhile, Pertamina expressed its appreciation for the signing of the SPA to fulfill the electricity needs of the Rokan Working Area (WK).

PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR)

"Pertamina appreciates the agreement process between Chevron Standard Limited and PLN related to efforts to meet the electricity needs for Rokan WK," said PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) President Director Jaffee A. Suardi.

    Furthermore, Jaffee added that this commitment will certainly strengthen Pertamina's position, in this case through PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR), to ensure the continuity of production of the Rokan Oil and Gas Block Working Area, which of course contributes significantly to national oil and gas production.

Investor Daily, Page-10, Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Increase Investment, Ministry of ESDM Continues to Improve Oil and Gas Data

    The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM/EMR) continues to improve the subsurface data for oil and gas blocks to attract investment. The reason is that the completeness of the data will increase Indonesia's competitiveness in attracting oil and gas companies to invest in Indonesia.

ESDM

    Head of the Center for Data and Information Technology at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR/ESDM), Agus Cahyono, said that the ministry has opened access to oil and gas data for potential investors to attract investment. 

    Completeness of data is also the focus of the ministry. One of them is that the data's completeness can make it easier for potential investors to process 2D seismic data into 3D as strong.

"With more complete data, it provides convenience and completeness for potential investors to conduct regional studies," he said during an online discussion on Ease of Investment and Information Services in the Energy and Mineral Resources Sector held by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM/EMR).

    Currently, his party continues to collect seismic data from oil and gas blocks throughout Indonesia. However, he admits that there are indeed obstacles related to data processing, especially those that are still stored in round tape form. The success of reading data on the media is fairly low.

“Really have to be careful and have to go back and forth to retrieve data. And this is a lot of round tape data,” said Agus.

    In addition, he said that data improvement could be pursued from the realization of definite Work Commitments (KKP) promised by oil and gas companies when signing the Production Sharing Contract (PSC). KKP funds can now be used to conduct exploration in open areas, not limited to oil and gas blocks operated by oil and gas companies.

    Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) has completed a 2D seismic survey along a length of 32,200 kilometers (km). Currently, the resulting data is being processed through Pseudo-3D Seismic Reprocessing. 

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

    SKK Migas noted that there is exploration potential for Deltaic Deepwater Play in the South Makassar Strait Basin, Pre-Tertiary Play in the North East Java-Makassar Strait Basin, and others. This data will also be open to the public in the future.

ENI

    Not long ago SKK Migas also signed an upstream oil and gas exploration cooperation with ENI. With this technology collaboration, SKK Migas hopes to has new oil and gas prospects.

    Regulatory Affairs Committee Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) Prana Raditya said oil and gas companies were greatly helped by the government's policy of opening up national oil and gas data. He hopes that the subsurface data on oil and gas blocks can be improved in quality and quantity so that it will increase oil and gas business actors to invest in Indonesia.

“In terms of data, Indonesia is currently competing with other countries. So, the more, complete, and good quality data that can be provided for business actors review, the more attractive Indonesia will be for business actors at home and abroad," he said.

    Thus, the completeness of the data also helps to achieve the target of oil production of 1 million barrels per day (BPD) and gas of 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030. These data on oil and gas blocks are summarized in the Oil and Gas Data Repository (MDR). 

    Not only data related to oil and gas potential in one area but the MDR is also equipped with supporting data, such as area boundaries, availability of age infrastructure, geological vulnerability, to whether it is included in forest land. Investors can access all the data for free by registering to become a member.

Investor Daily, Page-10, Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Seven Upstream Oil and Gas Projects Worth US$ 1.45 B in Operation

    The Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) stated that as many as seven upstream oil and gas projects from the target of 12 projects this year have been operating (on stream). The investment value of these seven projects reaches US$ 1.45 billion or equivalent to Rp. 21.12 trillion.

    The seven upstream oil and gas projects are the Belato-2 Early Production Facility (EPF) project by PT Seleraya Merangin II, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) for the Jirak Field by PT Pertamina EP, and gas supply to the Balikpapan Refinery by PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM).

    Next are the development of the KLD Field by PT Pertamina Hulu Energi Offshore North West Java (ONWJ), the West Pangkah Field by PT Saka Energi Indonesia, the Merakes Field by Eni East Sepinggan, and the North Area Field by Jindi South Jambi Block B.

Eni

    The seven projects produce oil production of 9,850 barrels per day (BPD) and gas of 474.5 million standard cubic feet per day/MMscfd. Thus, the successful completion of these seven projects can reduce the rate of natural production decline that occurs.

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

“The activities carried out have successfully completed 58.3% of the target. We are optimistic that all of the upstream oil and gas projects targeted by 2021 can be completed because the other five projects are in process and are still in accordance with the plan," said SKK Migas Deputy Operations Julius Wiratno.

    In the midst of the economic situation that has not yet recovered due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the realization of these upstream oil and gas projects is able to create new jobs and support the movement of the regional economy. 

    In addition, this project also supports national and regional companies to be able to continue to survive and maintain business continuity. For this reason, his party together with the cooperation contract contractors (KKKS) are trying to accelerate the work on the project which is scheduled for 2022.

"Hopefully something can be accelerated this year, so hopefully the number of onstream projects can exceed this year's target and support an increase in production next year," said Julius.

    This has been facilitated by the development of the Integrated Operation Center (IOC) facility. With the IOC, it can improve supervision and facilitate operational flexibility to achieve national oil and gas production targets. This is because the IOC allows SKK Migas to carry out 24-hour real-time surveillance.

    His party also anticipates the movement of people and goods in the midst of tightening mobility policies to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is to ensure the availability of goods or services to support production operations in the field according to the timetable.

"To maintain the smooth mobility of upstream oil and gas goods and workers, we continue to coordinate with related parties so that production operations continue normally," said Julius.

    Acceleration of the vaccination program must also be carried out in line with government programs.

"So, we hope to keep the confirmed cases of Covid-19 under control in upstream oil and gas. SKK Migas also continuously coordinates with KKKS (cooperation contract contractors) to ensure that the health protocols have been implemented as well as possible so that production stops do not occur due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases," said Julius.

    In the upstream oil and gas environment itself, the rate of increase in confirmed cases of Covid-19 actually tends to be sloping compared to the end of 2020 to the first quarter of 2021. However, his party still anticipates the potential for an increase in cases due to social interactions during Eid al-Fitr yesterday. 

Jambaran Tiung Biru (JTB) gas Project

    Julius added that this year, one of the upstream oil and gas projects included in the national strategic project (PSN), namely Jambaran Tiung Biru (JTB), is scheduled to start operating. 

    He is optimistic that this target can be achieved. Moreover, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif and the Head of SKK Migas Dwi Soetjipto have directly reviewed the work on this project.

Investor Daily, Page-10, Thursday, July 1, 2021

RESET ONSTREAM SCHEDULE

    The operating schedules of a number of upstream oil and gas projects were forced to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic which still creates uncertainty in the sector. It is hoped that the fulfillment of the needs for the downstream sector will not be disrupted. One of the delays in the operation schedule was the Tangguh Train-3 National Strategic Project (PSN).

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

    Deputy for Special Task Force Operations (SKK Migas) Julius Wiratno said the completion of the project would miss the target in the fourth quarter of 2021 to next year.

    According to him, at the beginning of this year, the project had been suspended for 3 months due to the spread of Covid-19. To resume the project, it will take longer.

“Probably around mid-2022. We are currently doing a schedule and risk analysis. We'll see if it can be fixed," he said.

    Based on SKK Migas records as of March 26, 2021, the progress of the Tangguh Train-3 onshore project in Papua still reached 89.58% or lower than the target, which was 96.21%. Meanwhile, the offshore project work on Tangguh Train-3 has reached 99.19% of the target that should have been 100%.

the Jambaran-Tiung Biru (JTB) gas project

    In addition to the Tangguh Train-3 project, a scheduled shift has also occurred in the Jambaran-Tiung Biru (JTB) gas project. Julius said the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic coupled with the second wave which worsened conditions at home made the project. SKK Migas will oversee these projects so that they can be completed by the end of the year.

“The JTB project has been pushed back from August to November or December 2021 onstream. There is still uncertainty because of this Covid," he said.

    Overall, to date, SKK Migas has successfully completed seven upstream oil and gas projects from the target of 12 onstream projects in 2021.

    Investments in the seven projects were recorded at US$ 1.45 billion and provided additional production of 9,850 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and 474.5 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd).

    The seven upstream oil and gas projects that are already onstream are EPF Belato2 Seleraya Merangin Dua, EOR Jirak Pertamina EP, KLD PHE ONWJ, Gas Supply to RU-V Pertamina Hulu Mahakam, West Pangkah Saka Indonesia Pangkah Ltd, Merakes Eni East Sepinggan, and North Area Jindi. South Jambi Block B.

Eni

    Meanwhile, in line with upstream oil and gas activities and the tightening of government policies to implement efforts to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic, the upstream oil and gas business is also taking anticipatory steps in order to continue to achieve the target. One of the anticipatory measures taken is the acceleration of the vaccination program which is carried out together with government programs.

"SKK Migas also continuously coordinates with KKKS to ensure that the health protocols are implemented as well as possible so that production does not stop due to the Covid-19 case," he said.

    Julius added that the movement of people and goods needs to be added to ensure the availability of goods or services to support production operations on time.

"We are working on accelerating projects launched in 2022. Hopefully, something can be accelerated this year, so hopefully, the number of projects that can onstream can exceed this year's target and support an increase in production next year," he explained.

    Energy Director Watching Mamit Setiawan assessed that the delay in the streaming schedule for oil and gas projects was not entirely the fault of the contractor.

"The contractors must have made changes to their plans from last year with the hope that the pandemic can subside this year and fabrication activities can operate normally in manufacturing companies, but it seems that it failed to meet the target," said Mamit.

    However, he hopes that the preparation of the goods will not take too long, especially if the project is a PSN. Especially for JTB, it doesn't really matter if the project is planned. Surprisingly, the demand for gas for the industry in East Java currently tends to below.

    Executive Director of the National Oil and Gas Company Association (Aspermigas) Moshe Rizal assessed that the Covid-19 pandemic had indeed caused a lot of uncertainty. Moreover, there is a policy to make it difficult for KKKS to achieve the required productivity.

“It's really difficult because of the number of personnel in the field and travel restrictions. This all hampers productivity. Although the goods are available but not optimal, "he said.

OIL AND GAS INVESTMENT

    Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated that investment in the upstream oil and gas sector is still below the target.

    Director-General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Tutuka Ariadji, said the Covid-19 pandemic had a major impact on the domestic oil and gas industry. This causes oil and gas investment to be slow. Meanwhile, this year's investment in the upstream oil and gas sector is targeted at US$12.4 billion. He said that until June 2021, the realization of the investment was less than half of the target.

"In this month or May-June 2021, upstream oil and gas investment is 25.52 percent of the 2021 target," he said.

    Tutuka said the government continues to strive to improve services and ease of doing business in the domestic upstream oil and gas sector. He said the government had issued a number of regulations that would support this facility.

    He explained that the government had made a policy to increase the use of domestic products in upstream oil and gas activities, namely the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 15 of 2013, and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 14 of 2019, as well as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 17 of 2018.

"The oil and gas sector is one of the natural resources that is multifunctional and plays a major role in the country and contributes to the growth of national income," said Tutuka.

Bisnis Indonesia, Page-4, Thursday, July 1, 2021

The Government will Facilitate the Acquisition of Oil and Gas Blocks Abroad

    The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated that it would facilitate the acquisition of oil and gas blocks overseas by oil and gas companies in Indonesia. The acquisition of oil and gas blocks in other countries is one of the government's strategies to pursue the oil production target of 1 million barrels per day (BPD) by 2030.

    Director of Oil and Gas Program Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Dwi Anggoro Ismu Kurnianto said the oil production target of 1 million BPD in 2030 has been included in the Grand National Energy Strategy (GSEN) where the National Energy Council (DEN) is finalized.  

    One solution to achieve this target is the acquisition of oil and gas fields abroad. This acquisition was carried out through PT Pertamina (Persero) as a State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) engaged in the oil and gas sector of national oil and gas companies, such as PT Medco Energi Internasional.

"The government will facilitate through bilateral cooperation, starting with G to G (government to government)," he said.

    The acquisition plan was also conveyed at the 1st Meeting of the Joint Committee on Energy between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Moroccan Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Environment.

    

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

    In this event, representatives of Pertamina and the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) were also present so that they could obtain opportunities for cooperation in the oil and gas sector. However, Dwi Anggoro added, that the government's support for the acquisition of this oil and gas block is not limited to Morocco.

"Not only in Morocco but also in other countries," he said.

    Both Pertamina and Medco Energi have also been expanding their upstream oil and gas business overseas. Pertamina has several oil and gas blocks in 12 countries. In Algeria, the company owns shares in the Menzel Lejmat North (MLN), El Merk (EMK), and Ourhoud (OHD) blocks. apart from Algeria. 

    In Iraq, Pertamina holds shares in West Qurna 1 Field. While in Malaysia, Pertamina holds shareholdings in Block K, Block Kikeh, Block SNP, Block SK-309, and Block SK-311.

    Furthermore, after the acquisition of the French oil and gas company, Maurel & Prom, the company has oil and gas assets spread across Gabon, Nigeria, Tanzania, Namibia, Colombia, Canada, Myanmar, Italy, and other countries. However, its main assets that are already producing are in Gabon, Nigeria, and Tanzania. These overseas oil and gas blocks have contributed to Pertamina's overall production which reached 861 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day/BOEPD in the first quarter of 2021.

    President Director of PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) Budiman Parhusip had said, the contribution of the realization of this oil and gas production was 147 thousand BOEPD from international oil and gas fields and 713 thousand BOEPD from domestic. In detail, oil production from foreign assets was recorded at 97 thousand bpd and gas 291 MMScfd.

    Meanwhile, on its official website, Medco owns shares in 10 oil and gas blocks overseas. In detail, Blocks 10 and 12 in Mexico, Area 47 in Libya, Block 9 in Yemen, Karim Field in Oman, Blocks 1 and 4 in Tanzania, Bualuang, and Sinphuhorm Fields in Thailand, and Block 12W (Chim Sao and Dua) ​​in Vietnam.

    Some of Medco's oil and gas blocks are already in production. In the first quarter of 2021, Medco's total oil and gas production, both from within and outside the country, was recorded at 101 thousand BOEPD. Dwi Anggoro continued, based on the status at the end of 2020, Indonesia's oil reserves were recorded at 4.2 billion barrels and 62.4 trillion cubic feet of gas. 

    If there are no new discoveries, the age of this oil reserve is only about 9 years and gas about 18 years. To meet domestic demand which reaches 1.5 million bpd, Indonesia is forced to import oil because domestic production is only around 745 thousand bpd.

    However, he said the government would not only rely on additional production from abroad. Although oil production continues to decline, the government will continue to focus on achieving the production target of 1 million bpd with various efforts, including enhanced oil recovery (EOR), increasing exploration activities, utilizing new technology, as well as simplification and flexibility of the procurement process.

Infrastructure development

    In addition to increasing oil and gas production, the government also continues to build oil and gas infrastructure to strengthen national energy security. The government will increase the capacity of fuel oil refineries and build natural gas infrastructure.

“The government encourages the development of national oil and gas infrastructure, both LNG, gas, and refineries. Therefore, we are very open to collaborating with any partner countries in investing in the oil and gas sub-sector,” he said when giving a presentation at the 1st Meeting of the Joint Committee on Energy between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Moroccan Ministry of Energy, Mining and Environment.

    Regarding the development of natural gas infrastructure, Indonesia has prepared a national natural gas master plan, including building PLTMG, gas pipeline infrastructure, and natural gas networks for households. Especially for the gas network, by 2020 696,011 house gas connections (SR) have been built.

"The government targets that by 2024, the number of gas networks built will reach 4 million SR," added Dwi Anggoro.

Investor Daily, Page-10, Tuesday, June 29, 2021.

PLN is getting more and more sure to enter the Rokan Block

    The certainty of PT PLN (Persero) to become the electricity supplier in the Rokan Block after the transfer of management process is increasingly clear. The state-owned company is currently in the final stages of negotiating the acquisition of a gas-fired power plant owned by PT Mandau Cipta Tenaga Nusantara (MCTN).

PT PLN (Persero)

    Director of Commerce and Customer Management at PLN Bob Saril said that the company had reached an agreement regarding the provisions in the Conditional Share Purchase Agreement (CSPA) to purchase shares of the North Duri Cogen MCTN 300 MW Steam Power Plant (PLTGU), which is 95% owned by Chevron Standard Limited ( CSL), an affiliate of PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI). It is hoped that shortly, PLN will be able to own 100% of PT Mandau Cipta Tenaga Nusantara (MCTN) shares.

Chevron 

“Now we are in the process of negotiating with Chevron Standard Limited (CSL) directly. This morning we have succeeded in reaching agreements with several articles of the CSPA and later there will be a share purchasing agreement that we can sign in a short time, not too long,” said Bob.

    Meanwhile, communication regarding the acquisition of Chevron Standard Limited (CSL) shares in MCTN by PLN has been carried out since November 2020. Based on the explanation given by Bob, PLN targets the acquisition process to be completed by the end of June 2021. He stated that in the process of acquiring this share, the company was assisted by experienced consultants.

“If you look at the scheme for their auction process or selling these shares, they will announce it this week. Then, they have 1 month to wait if there is a question from outside. After that we signed it,” said Bob.

    He also guaranteed that the acquisition of the power plant owned by MCTN would not disrupt the electricity supply in the Rokan Block. PLN will utilize the 300 MW North Duri Cogen MCTN PLTGU to provide electricity services to the Rokan Block during the transition period.

the Rokan Block Chevron

"We don't have to worry about whether during the transition there will be electricity supply disruptions and so on. The shares were taken over by PLN, including the employees who automatically become part of PLN," he said.

    Thus, Bob ensures that the process of transferring the management of the MCTN power plant will run smoothly.

“On August 8 to 9, [the electricity supply] will automatically start as usual because before that, maybe a week earlier, the shares had been taken over. Likewise, the next follow-up is that business permits have been submitted to PLN, we have no more problems,” said Bob.

PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR)

    Meanwhile, PLN has signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement for Electricity and Steam (SPJBTLU) with PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) for the Rokan Block in February which will be effective at the end of the Rokan Block management by CPI in August 2021.

    The PLN electricity supply service period is divided into two, namely a transition period of only 3 years starting from August 2021 to August 2024 and permanent services will be provided starting August 8, 2024.

    During the transitional service period, PLN will utilize the PLTG North Duri Cogen MCTN, while permanent services are carried out by interconnecting the electricity system in the Rokan Block with the Sumatra electricity system.

    Meanwhile, President Director of PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) Jaffee Arizon Suardin said that the availability and reliability of electricity and steam supply were very important to support efforts to increase production in the Rokan Block.

"We are very happy that last February we signed a cooperation agreement on the sale and purchase of electricity and steam with PLN, so hopefully we can continue to carry out this cooperation," said Jaffee.

    PHR Business Support Project Leader Danang Saleh added that the Rokan Block is one of the backbones of national oil production which contributes around 170 Mbopd or 24% of national oil production. Therefore, its management requires the support of reliable electricity and steam supplies with a demand of 400 MW and 335 Mbspd of steam.

    Meanwhile, the Rokan Block's electricity needs are currently supplied by MCTN's 300 MW NDC plant and supported by PLTG Minas and Central Duri 130 MW which are managed by PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) through a third party.

“Approximately 60%-70% of this NDC plant will supply 270 MW of what we need a total of 400 MW. So is the steam. This is a large portion, so there is a great hope that the provision of electricity and steam from PLN can be realized properly," said Danang.

CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION

    Professor of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia Iwa Garniwa said that the electricity sector in the Rokan Block became an important issue because it involved the sustainability of oil production in the Rokan Block. Therefore, the control of existing power plants, either through the purchase of power plants or through a power purchase contract, is key.

"If this existing power plant is not controlled by [PLN], then the Rokan Block will be very difficult," said Iwa.

    Meanwhile, PLN takes approximately 3 years to build a transmission from the Sumatra system to meet the electricity needs of the Rokan Block in the long term. Therefore, until the transmission is built, whether or not PLN will have to use the existing power plants.

    He also recommended that PLN conduct an audit of electrical installations starting from generation, transmission, and distribution to know the condition of existing power plants, including the BPP.

"The conditions of the generator, transmission, and distribution have met the requirements, but whatever the new owner must be, the supply constraints will be met because this is related to the products that will be made by Pertamina," he said.

    Energy Watch Executive Director Mamit Setiawan hopes that the negotiation process carried out by PLN in acquiring the MCTN power plant can be mutually beneficial and will not burden PLN's finances later.

"Don't let PLN make too big a sacrifice in the sense of buying too large shares and eventually burdening PLN's finances. If you buy expensive, while PLN already has SPJBTLU with PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR), then PLN will lose. The price with this PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR), of course, has been kept, "said Mamit.

Blogger Agus Purnomo in SKK Migas

    Regarding the Deputy for Operations of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas), Julius Wiratno explained that the progress of the transition process for Rokan's work area is still ongoing according to the target.

"One of the priorities is to conduct development drilling to increase production, of which 73 wells have been drilled and have increased production," he said.

    Julius added that Chevron is trying to increase the number of rigs and long-lead items needed for well drilling activities in the Rokan Block to curb the decline in production during the transition period.

Bisnis Indonesia, Page-4, Wednesday, June 23, 2021