Pertamina EP Will Drill 2 Wells in Papua

To support the 2020 performance target, PT Pertamina EP plans to start drilling two exploration wells in Sorong Regency, Papua, in the third quarter of 2020.

Nanang Abdul Manaf

Pertamina EP President Director Nanang Abdul Manaf said that at present his office was still in the process of acquiring land from the two wells. As for the location of Kembo-A, the company is currently taking care of a lease-to-use forest area (IPPKH) permit, because it has entered the forest area. 

    Meanwhile, for the location of Buah Merah-A until now it is still in the process of arranging a discussion with PT. HIP as the holder of the business use rights (HGU).

"The target is in the third quarter of 2020, we hope that the coronavirus problem will be finished in the second semester," he said.

In addition to the two wells, Pertamina EP will accelerate drilling of development wells to support the 2020 oil production target of 85,000 barrels per day (BPD) and natural gas 932 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd).

Nanang explained the plan was a company's strategy to realize production targets faster. Some drilling activities that have been carried out towards the end of last year, namely in Rantau Field, Sangasanga Field, Bunyu Field; and Subang Field.

"We also have waterflood inject wells in Jirak Village and Kusuma Arum (KUM) -Q01 exploration wells, both in South Sumatra," he explained.

Based on Pertamina EP's performance records, the oil production of a subsidiary of PT Pertamina (Persero) throughout 2017-2019 showed an upward trend in line with the increased activity in the well development of the company's development.

In 2017, oil production reached 77,154 barrels per day (bopd), rising to 79,445 bopd in 2018, and last year it increased to 82,213 bopd. Meanwhile, gas production was recorded at 1,018 boepd in 2017, an increase compared to 2016 which recorded 989 MMscfd, then 1,017 MMscfd in 2018, and 959 MMscfd in 2019 because buyers were unable to buy gas produced by the company.

Bisnis Indonesia, Page-23, Tuesday, March 10, 2020