Wait PLN, Field Kepodang Ready to Stream Gas

PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN) stated that gas production from Kepodang Field, Muriah Block will flow after the gas sale and purchase agreement (PJBG) with PT PLN (Persero) is signed. PGN is also optimistic that it will win an arbitration suit against Petronas Carigali Muriah Ltd (PCML) following the cessation of Kepodang Field gas production in September 2019.

PGN President Director Suko Hartono said that 80% of participating interest / PI ownership in Muriah Block which was initially held by PCML had been transferred to his party through Saka Energi Muriah Ltd (SEML). Thus, his party can produce Kepodang Field.

"So at least there is a gas flow of 10-20 MMSCFD (million standard cubic feet per day)," he said.

Kepodang Field, Blok Muriah started producing gas for the first time at 56 MMSCFD at the end of August 2015. The gas supply was channeled with the Kalimantan-Java (Kalija) I pipeline managed by PT Kalimantan Jawa Gas (KJG) to the Steam Gas Power Plant (PLTGU) Tambak PLN's Lorok in Semarang, Central Java.

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However, in July 2017, Petronas stated that Kepodang Field was in force majeure because the reserves did not match the predictions. This field gas production was then stopped on 23 September 2019.

Suko added, his party had received permission from the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) to restart gas production at Kepodang Field. But he was not sure when the gas would start flowing because it was still waiting for the gas purchase agreement by PLN.

"This is what we are trying to do so that gas production can be in 2020-2021. We are waiting for the PJBG, "he said.

Previously, Saka Energi had sent an official letter to PLN regarding gas supply from Kepodang Field. Another commercial aspect that needs to be prepared is the Gas Transportation Agreement (GTA), where Saka will negotiate with KJG as a transporter.

PGN has been involved in the management of Kepodang Field, Blok Muriah from the beginning through SEML with 20% PI ownership. However, PCML and SEML have signed legal documents on the transfer of a participating interest or the Deed of Assignment (DoA) of Petronas participation shares at the end of January.

So, now SEML holds 100% interest participation in the Muriah Block. Even though the production has stopped since September 2019, the function testing activities for important equipment in the Kepodang Field are still carried out routinely. Over the past five months, Saka and Petronas have also made operational transitions, including conducting joint operations trials to keep operating facilities functioning properly. This is so that Saka can directly produce gas as soon as management switches.

Arbitration Lawsuit

At the same time, PGN Finance Director Arie Nobielta Kaban revealed, the lawsuit against Petronas Carigali related to the cessation of Kepodang Field gas production in the Arbitration International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) is still rolling. He is optimistic he can win this lawsuit.

"There is potential [to win], according to our lawyer, the gap is very large, around 70%, we won," he said.

The arbitration award is likely to come out in 2021. The lawsuit was filed because PGN also holds an 80% stake in KJG, in addition to the PI in the Muriah Block. Kaban explained the cessation of the Kepodang Field gas supply had an impact on the value of the KJG Kalija I pipeline.

"So, this pipe needs to be impaired in accounting because the book value is higher, which is the US $ 98 million," he said.

Previously, according to a letter from the Board of Directors of PGN on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) securities information disclosure in September 2019, the lawsuit was related to ship or pay obligations as stipulated in the gas transportation agreement between PCML, KJG, and PLN.

Because PCML ended the GTA with KJG and PLN earlier than the agreement following the end of the PJBG with PLN. PGN had revealed that based on the initial plan, the gas flowed through Kalija I Pipe reached 116 million MMSCFD. However, to guarantee the company's investment in the pipeline, a ship or pay scheme was established with a minimum limit of gas flowing at 104 MMSCFD.

The realization, since the Kepodang Field began production in 2015, the gas flowed through Kalija I Pipe has always been below the minimum limit. In 2015, the gas flowing was only 86.06 MMSCFD. Furthermore, Kepodang Field only releases gas of 90.37 MMSCFD in 2016 and 75.64 MMSCFD in 2017.

Investor Daily, Page-17, Friday, July 10, 2020