User Total Gas Continues to Decline

INDUSTRY GAS PRICE

Trends in industrial gas consumption in North Sumatra continued to decline over the last 20 years. Before 2000, gas consumption reached more than 25 million MMBTU (million metric British thermal unit). That number continues to decline with the lack of gas supplies to Sumatra and the rising gas prices of 8.7 US dollars per MMBTU to about 14 US dollars per MMBTU in August 2015.

Although the price was lowered to 12.22 US dollars per MMBTU consumption continues to decline. Current consumption is only about 8.6 million MMBTU or about 35 percent.

Sales Area Head of PT PGN Medan Saeful Hadi, admitted before the year 2000, the supply of gas remains above 25 million MMBTU. Since 2006, the number realization of customer gas usage continues to decline. The lowest number occurred in 2015 were only 6.35 million MMBTU. At that time, gas prices reached 14 dollars per MMBTU.

After the price increase, many industries to switch to using oil for fuel. However, the raw material gas industry, such as industrial gloves, ceramics and glassware, had no other choice. Dozens of companies lid and reduce production. In fact, gas is expected by the industry because it is clean.

Industry players expect the government to realize its promise to lower gas prices in North Sumatra that industry is not getting worse. If gas prices go down, the gas consumption will rise. 70,000 people affected by layoffs. Chairman of the Association of North Sumatra Gas Users Johan Brien said, since 2005, at least 70,000 employees have stopped working because of the gas crisis that occurred in North Sumatra.

Most industry players do not report layoffs (layoffs) which they did. Office workers also do not know unless layoffs problematic or enter into a labor court, because if reported, even complicated problem.

Nurbahagia, General Manager of PT Intan National Iron Industry in Medan, said that the bank is facing a labor court filed 43 employees. Layoffs had to be done for the company collapsed due to high gas prices and government rules on anti-dumping duties.

Johan said the government needs to look at the impact of gas prices on the whole industry. Industry in North Sumatra is slowly dying because not competitive. Industrial ceramics, glass, for instance, can not compete with goods coming from Java.

Until now, despite having published the Presidential Decree No. 40 of 2016 which states the decline in prices per January 1, 2016, then appeared again Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources 453K / 12 / MEM / 2017 dated February 13, 2017 stating decrease per February 1, 2017, through Sunday ( 12/3) industrial gas prices in North Sumatra was 12.22 US dollars per MMBTU

The price was much higher than the price of gas in East Java, for example, is 8 dollars per MMBTU or Malaysia-Singapore 4-5 dollars per MMBTU. Johan says, in various media has been delivered price of gas in Medan dropped to 9.95 US dollars per MMBTU

Recent declines occur if the price of gas back to the original, 8.7 US dollars per MMBTU. He also asked the Provincial Government of North Sumatra pushing gas prices down to the old prices, meanwhile, thousands of industry employees in Medan and Deli Serdang troubled by the bleak condition of the company due to high gas prices.

They expect the government to realize a decrease in prices in order to clear the fate of the workers. Plant Manager PT Kedaung Industrial Medan Sugianto, the company has already stopped two of the four engines on Monday, said it was hoped the company could re-grow.

"I have over 30 years of working here. We certainly hope the company can thrive and grow back," he said.

PT Kedaung Industrial is one of the companies that cut production due to the gas crisis. One machine has been turned off in 2015 when the gas crisis occurred in North Sumatra, another new one is off on December 29, 2016. The Company has downsized from 1,000 people to 800 people.

To reduce the energy costs of gas, which reached 40 percent of total production costs, the company uses fuel oil for burning waste products. However, waste oil making machine crusty. As a result, kilns collapsed. Companies lose twice.

IN INDONESIAN

Jumlah Pemakai Gas Terus Menurun

Tren konsumsi gas industri di Sumatera Utara terus menurun selama 20 tahun terakhir. Sebelum tahun 2000, konsumsi gas mencapai lebih dari 25 juta MMBTU (juta metrik british thermal unit). Angka itu terus merosot dengan minimnya pasokan gas ke Sumut dan naiknya harga gas dari 8,7 dollar AS per MMBTU ke sekitar 14 dollar AS per MMBTU pada Agustus 2015.

Meski harga diturunkan menjadi 12,22 dollar AS per MMBTU konsumsi terus menurun. Saat ini konsumsi hanya sekitar 8,6 juta MMBTU atau sekitar 35 persen.

Sales Area Head PT PGN Medan Saeful Hadi,  mengakui sebelum tahun 2000, pasokan gas masih di atas 25 juta MMBTU. Sejak 2006, angka realisasi pemakaian gas pelanggan terus menurun. Angka terendah terjadi pada 2015 yang hanya 6,35 juta MMBTU. Saat itu, harga gas mencapai 14 dollar AS per MMBTU.

Setelah kenaikan harga itu, banyak industri beralih menggunakan minyak untuk bahan bakar. Namun, industri yang berbahan baku gas, seperti industri sarung tangan, keramik, dan barang pecah belah, tidak memiliki pilihan lain. Belasan perusahaan tutup dan mengurangi produksi. Padahal, energi gas sangat diharapkan oleh industri karena bersih.

Para pelaku industri berharap pemerintah merealisasikan janjinya menurunkan harga gas supaya industri di Sumut tidak makin terpuruk. Jika harga gas turun, konsumsi gas akan naik. 70.000 orang terkena PHK. Ketua Asosiasi Pengusaha Pengguna Gas Sumatera Utara Johan Brien mengatakan, sejak 2005, sedikitnya 70.000 karyawan telah berhenti bekerja karena krisis gas yang terjadi di Sumut. 

Kebanyakan pelaku industri tidak melaporkan pemutusan hubungan kerja (PHK) yang mereka lakukan. Dinas tenaga kerja juga tidak mengetahui kecuali PHK bermasalah atau masuk dalam pengadilan hubungan industrial, karena jika lapor, malah rumit masalahnya.

Nurbahagia, General Manager PT Intan Nasional Iron Industri di Medan, mengatakan saat ini pihaknya sedang menghadapi pengadilan hubungan industrial yang diajukan 43 karyawannya. PHK terpaksa dilakukan karena perusahaan terpuruk akibat harga gas yang tinggi dan aturan pemerintah tentang bea masuk anti dumping.

Johan mengatakan, pemerintah perlu melihat dampak harga gas pada industri secara keseluruhan. Industri di Sumut pelan-pelan mati karena tidak berdaya saing. Industri barang keramik, gelas, misalnya, tidak bisa bersaing dengan barang-barang yang masuk dari Jawa.

Hingga saat ini, meski telah terbit Peraturan Presiden Nomor 40 Tahun 2016 yang menyatakan penurunan harga per 1 Januari 2016, kemudian muncul lagi Peraturan Menteri ESDM 453K/12/MEM/2017 tanggal 13 Februari 2017 yang menyatakan penurunan per 1 Februari 2017, hingga Minggu (12/3) harga gas industri di Sumut masih 12,22 dollar AS per MMBTU 

Harga itu jauh lebih tinggi daripada harga gas di Jawa Timur, misalnya, yang 8 dollar AS per MMBTU atau Malaysia-Singapura 4-5 dollar AS per MMBTU. Johan mengatakan, di berbagai media sudah disampaikan harga gas di Medan turun menjadi 9,95 dollar AS per MMBTU 

Penurunan baru terjadi jika harga gas kembali ke semula, 8,7 dollar AS per MMBTU. Ia juga meminta Pemerintah Provinsi Sumatera Utara mendorong harga gas turun ke harga lama, Sementara itu, ribuan karyawan industri di Medan dan Deli Serdang resah dengan kondisi perusahaan yang suram akibat mahalnya harga gas. 

Mereka berharap pemerintah segera merealisasikan penurunan harga agar nasib pekerja jelas. Manajer Pabrik PT Kedaung Industrial Medan Sugianto, yang perusahaannya sudah menghentikan dua dari empat mesinnya, Senin, mengatakan sangat berharap perusahaan bisa kembali bertumbuh.

"Saya sudah lebih dari 30 tahun bekerja di sini. Kami tentu berharap perusahaan bisa berkembang dan tumbuh kembali,” katanya.

PT Kedaung Industrial adalah salah satu perusahaan yang menurunkan produksinya akibat krisis gas. Satu mesin telah dimatikan pada 2015 saat krisis gas terjadi di Sumatera Utara, satu lagi baru dimatikan pada 29 Desember 2016. Perusahaan telah mengurangi karyawan dari 1.000 orang menjadi 800 orang.

Untuk mengurangi biaya energi gas yang mencapai 40 persen dari total biaya produksi, perusahaan menggunakan bahan bakar minyak limbah untuk membakar produknya. Namun, minyak limbah membuat mesin berkerak. Akibatnya, dapur pembakaran ambrol. Perusahaan merugi dua kali.

Kompas, Page-1, Tuesday, March, 14, 2017

Government Request Total Co-Working Mahakam

Energy Minister opens the opportunity to be the operator together with Pertamina.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignatius Jonan expect Total E & P Indonesie to continue to invest to remain in partnership with PT Pertamina in the Mahakam block after the contract expires at the end of this year. The government hopes to maintain the participation of total production.

"I've been told by Total, talking with Pertamina and Pertamina Gas SKK can offer a share down 39 per cent maximum," said Jonan during a visit to the terminal Senipah, East Kalimantan.

He hoped the Mahakam block production can be maintained even if the age of the Mahakam block is not young anymore. It is known that these blocks produce oil and gas through Bekapai Field since 1974. Jonan also allow Pertamina into a joint operator Total.

"If you want, Total offers, like joint operator or operators continued Total and so on. People also I think it will not be replaced. "

President Director Total Indonesia, Arividya Novianto, said his company has yet to decide its participation in the Mahakam block. "Not yet decided," said Arividya.

Jonan also said Pertamina had to sell a 10 percent stake to the Mahakam block in East Kalimantan provincial government. Based on the Minister of Energy Regulation No. 37 Year 2016, the block operator can lend shares at cost of local government with zero percent interest.

The provincial government can repay the debt with revenues for oil and gas. "Ten percent of the shares (Pertamina) to the local government," said Jonan.

East Kalimantan Governor Awang Faroek in late January expressed its interest in such shares. Owners will be submitted to the Oil and Gas PT Mandiri Pratama, a company owned by the government of East Kalimantan. Based on the Work Plan and Budget (CBP / WP & B), 2017, Pertamina will give money of US $ 187 million to drill 19 wells the Company will prepare fulus approximately US $ 1.25 billion.

But drilling still held by Total as operator The plan is implemented through a contract amendment Mahakam cooperation between the Special Unit of Upstream Oil and Gas and Total this year.

Total will invest approximately US $ 1 billion this year. These funds are only used to drill six wells. Budget rest is used for field maintenance. Total gas production next year predicts 1.4 to 1.5 trillion cubic feet, down from a target of 1.7 trillion cubic feet this year.

IN INDONESIAN

Pemerintah Minta Total Turut Garap Mahakam

Menteri Energi membuka peluang menjadi operator bersama Pertamina.

Menteri Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral Ignasius Jonan berharap Total E&P Indonesie melanjutkan investasinya dengan tetap bermitra dengan PT Pertamina di Blok Mahakam setelah kontrak berakhir pada akhir tahun ini. Pemerintah berharap keikutsertaan Total dapat menjaga produksi.

“Saya sudah bilang dengan Total, bicara dengan Pertamina dan SKK Migas Pertamina bisa menawarkan share down 39 persen saham maksimum,” kata Jonan saat berkunjung ke terminal Senipah, Kalimantan Timur.

Dia berharap produksi Blok Mahakam bisa dipertahankan sekalipun usia blok Mahakam sudah tidak muda lagi. Diketahui bahwa blok ini memproduksi minyak dan gas bumi melalui Lapangan Bekapai sejak 1974. Jonan juga memperbolehkan Pertamina menjadi operator bersama Total.

“Kalau mau, Total menawarkan, mau operator bersama atau operatornya dilanjutkan Total dan sebagainya. Orang-orang juga saya kira tidak akan diganti."

   Presiden Direktur Total Indonesia, Arividya Novianto, menyatakan perusahaannya belum memutuskan keikutsertaannya di Blok Mahakam.  “Belum diputuskan," kata Arividya.

Jonan juga menyebutkan Pertamina harus menjual 10 persen kepemilikan Blok Mahakam kepada Pemerintah Provinsi Kalimantan Timur. Berdasarkan Peraturan Menteri Energi Nomor 37 Tahun 2016, operator blok dapat meminjamkan biaya perolehan saham pemerintah daerah dengan bunga nol persen. 

Pemerintah provinsi dapat mencicil , utang dengan pendapatan bagi hasil migas. “Sepuluh persen sahamnya (Pertamina) ke pemerintah daerah,” ujar Jonan.

Gubernur Kalimantan Timur Awang Faroek pada akhir Januari lalu menyatakan minatnya untuk mengambil saham tersebut. Kepemilikan nantinya diserahkan kepada PT Migas Mandiri Pratama, perusahaan milik pemerintah Kalimantan Timur. Berdasarkan Rencana Kerja dan Anggaran Perusahaan (RKAP/WP&B) 2017, Pertamina akan memberikan uang sebesar US$ 187 juta untuk pengeboran 19 sumur Perusahaan akan menyiapkan fulus sekitar US$ 1,25 miliar.

Namun pengeboran tetap dilaksanakan oleh Total selaku operator Rencana tersebut diterapkan melalui amendemen kontrak kerja sama Mahakam antara Satuan Kerja Khusus Pelaksana Kegiatan Usaha Hulu Minyak dan Gas Bumi dan Total tahun ini. 

Total akan berinvestasi sekitar US$ 1 miliar tahun ini. Dana ini hanya dipakai mengebor enam sumur. Anggaran sisanya digunakan untuk perawatan lapangan. Total memprediksi produksi gas tahun  depan 1,4-1,5 triliun kaki kubik, menurun dari target 1,7 triliun kaki kubik tahun ini.

Koran Tempo, Page-21, Monday, March, 13, 2017

Total Can Return So the Post-2017 Operator

The government declared Total E & P Indonesie as the manager of the Mahakam block, can again become operator of the block after the contract expires on December 31, 2017 this. This is to ensure that oil and gas production Mahakam block does not drop dramatically in the next year.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ignatius Jonan said Mahakam block is already 100% awarded to PT Pertamina, which will also be the operator began in 2018. However, Pertamina can take some of the rights of participation (share down) up to 39% to the total, out of stock 10% that must be given to local governments.

Thus, it is possible about the continuation of Total as operator in the Mahakam block post 2017. The Company Frenchman was welcome to discuss it with Pertamina and the Special Task Force of Upstream Oil and Gas (SKK Migas) about this operatorship.

"If you want, Total offers, like joint operator or operators continued Total and so on. People (employees) I also think it will not be replaced, "said Jonan

These deals are provided by the government so that production does not go down the Mahakam block. Currently, the average production of the Mahakam block is 1,635 million standard cubic per day / MMSCFD of gas and 63 thousand barrels per day (bpd) of condensate. Thus, the Mahakam block is recorded as the largest gas producer in Indonesia, which reached 20% of national gas production.

Therefore, Jonan asserted Mahakam Block production should be maintained and should not be a drastic turn. "Production should be maintained and the operation must be efficient. For that cost should not rise and production should not be dropped, "said Jonan.

As is known, the Mahakam block contract by Total E & P Indonesie and Inpex Corporation will end this year. Furthermore, Pertamina through PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PT PHM) has signed a cooperation contract (production sharing contract / PSC) Mahakam block with SKK Migas on December 29, 2015 and became effective on January 1, 2018.

According to records, bids stake in the Mahakam block ilu was submitted to Total a long time. However, Total has yet to deliver answers. As to the possibility of continuing the operator, is a new development. Because, previously stated that Pertamina is the operator of the Mahakam block.

According to President and General Manager Total E & P Indonesie Arividia Noviyanto, it was still discussing both with Headquarters in France. Moreover, about the possibility of joint operation, calls should be ascertained in advance whether Pertamina interested or not. Because the total so far to understand Pertamina had been the operator after 2017. "We'll discuss it with our headquarters. In the not too distant future, we will convey the results of his review, "he said.

Transition

Meanwhile, Jonan asserted, oil and gas production in Block Mahakam should not be dropped during the transition management. The reason, many wells in this block that has produced oil and gas for 40 years since 1974, one of which Bekapai Field. Therefore although the production facility is old and must be maintained in order to keep good production capacity.

"For the transition, there must be no interruption in production and related activities. Later the government will make the regulation immediately so that production capacity does not go down, "he said.

     As is known, Pertamina has signed amendments to the management of the Mahakam Block PSC beginning January 1, 2018. In this revision, the government approved the reimbursement of expenses incurred Pertamina's investment in drilling 19 wells in the next year.

     Pertamina plans to invest an estimated US $ 180 million in the form of drilling 19 wells prior to the effective date of the contract. With so expected gas production from the Mahakam block can be maintained at about 1.2 billion cubic feet per day (bscfd) and condensate approximately 20 thousand barrels per day (bpd) in the year 2018-2019.

     Furthermore, the related rights of employees, the Minister Jonan requested that kept both in terms of safety, working environment, as well as competence. "For approximately the same working relationship. Later Pertamina will create his own company, Pertamina Hulu Mahakam to operate this block, apart from Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), "said Jonan.

     Related to the transition process, the Head of SKK Migas Amien Sunaryadi explained, midnight December 31, 2017 is the deadline for the transfer of management of the Mahakam block. At that time, the team from Total, Pertamina, and SKK Migas should be in the field to handover management. "The meter of gas and oil to be seen at 00:00, which is the border has Total and Pertamina.

    Total and Inpex Corporation is the operator managing the Mahakam Block since the contract was signed on October 16, 1966 and ending March 30, 1997. The first production of the Mahakam block occurred in 1974. The Mahakam block contract was then extended on January 11, 1997 and will end on December 31, 2017 this. Mahakam block includes Peciko gas field, Tunu, Tambora, Sisi-Nubi, and South Mahakam. In addition, as well as oil field Bekapai and Handil.

IN INDONESIAN

Total Dapat Kembali Jadi Operator Pasca 2017

Pemerintah menyatakan Total E&P Indonesie selaku pengelola Blok Mahakam, dapat kembali menjadi operator blok tersebut setelah kontrak berakhir pada 31 Desember 2017 ini. Hal ini untuk menjaga agar produksi migas Blok Mahakam tidak turun drastis pada tahun depan. 

Menteri Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM) Ignasius Jonan mengatakan, Blok Mahakam memang telah 100% diberikan kepada PT Pertamina yang juga akan menjadi operator mulai 2018. Namun, Pertamina dapat melepas sebagian hak partisipasinya (share down) maksimal sampai 39% kepada Total, di luar saham 10% yang wajib diberikan kepada pemerintah daerah.

Sehingga, tidak menutup kemungkinan soal kelanjutan Total sebagai operator di Blok Mahakam pasca 2017. Perusahaan asal Perancis itu dipersilahkan untuk mendiskusikannya dengan Pertamina dan Satuan Kerja Khusus Pelaksana Kegiatan Usaha Hulu Minyak dan Gas Bumi (SKK Migas) soal operatorship ini.

“Kalau mau, Total menawarkan, mau operator bersama atau operatornya dilanjutkan Total dan sebagainya. Orang-orang (pegawai) juga saya kira tidak akan diganti,” kata Jonan 

Tawaran ini diberikan pemerintah agar produksi Blok Mahakam tidak turun. Saat ini, rata-rata produksi Blok Mahakam adalah 1.635 million standard cubic per day/mmscfd untuk gas dan 63 ribu barel per hari (bph) untuk kondensat. Sehingga, Blok Mahakam tercatat sebagai produsen gas terbesar di Indonesia, yakni mencapai 20% dari produksi gas nasional.

Karenanya, Jonan menegaskan, produksi Blok Mahakam harus dipertahankan dan tidak boleh turn drastis. “Produksi harus dipertahankan dan operasi harus efisien. Untuk itu biaya tidak boleh naik dan hasil produksi tidak boleh turun,” kata Jonan. 

Seperti diketahui, kontrak Blok Mahakam oleh Total E&P Indonesie dan Inpex Corporation akan berakhir pada tahun ini. Selanjutnya, Pertamina melalui PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PT PHM) telah meneken kontrak kerja sama (production sharing contract/ PSC) Blok Mahakam dengan SKK Migas pada 29 Desember 2015 dan berlaku efektif pada 1 Januari 2018. 

Menurut catatan, tawaran kepemilikan saham di Blok Mahakam ilu telah disampaikan ke Total sejak lama. Namun, Total sampai saat ini belum menyampaikan jawaban. Sementara soal kemungkinan melanjutkan menjadi operator, merupakan satu perkembangan baru. Pasalnya, sebelumnya dinyatakan bahwa Pertamina adalah operator Blok Mahakam.

Menurut President and General Manager Total E&P Indonesie Arividia Noviyanto, pihaknya masih mendiskusikan dua hal tersebut dengan Kantor Pusat di Perancis. Apalagi soal kemungkinan joint operation, disebutnya perlu dipastikan terlebih dahulu apakah Pertamina berminat atau tidak. Pasalnya, Total selama ini memahami Pertamina lah yang menjadi operator setelah 2017. “Nanti kami diskusikan dengan kantor pusat kami. Dalam waktu tidak terlalu lama, kami akan sampaikan hasil review-nya,” kata dia.

Transisi

Sementara itu, Jonan menegaskan, produksi migas di Blok Mahalam tidak boleh turun selama masa transisi pengelolaan. Pasalnya, banyak sumur di blok ini yang telah menghasilkan migas selama 40 tahun sejak 1974, salah satunya Lapangan Bekapai. Karenanya meski fasilitas produksi sudah tua, harus dipertahankan kapasitas produksinya agar tetap baik.

“Untuk transisi, harus tidak ada gangguan di produksi dan kegiatan terkait. Nanti pemerintah akan bikin peraturan segera supaya kapasitas produksinya tidak turun,” kata dia.

Seperti diketahui, Pertamina telah meneken amendemen PSC Blok Mahakam untuk pengelolaan mulai 1 Januari 2018. Dalam revisi ini, pemerintah menyetujui penggantian biaya investasi yang dikeluarkan Pertamina dalam pengeboran 19 sumur pada tahun depan.

Pertamina berencana untuk melakukan investasi yang diperkirakan sebesar US$ 180 juta dalam bentuk kegiatan pemboran 19 sumur sebelum tanggal efektif kontrak. Dengan begitu diharapkan produksi gas bumi dari Blok Mahakam dapat dipertahankan sekitar 1,2 miliar kaki kubik per hari (BSCFD) dan kondensat sekitar 20 ribu barel per hari (bph) pada tahun 2018-2019.

Selanjutnya, terkait hak-hak pegawai, Menteri Jonan meminta agar tetap dijaga, baik terkait aspek keselamatan, lingkungan kerja, maupun kompetensinya. “Untuk hubungan kerja kurang lebih sama. Nanti Pertamina akan buat perusahaan sendiri, yaitu Pertamina Hulu Mahakam untuk mengoperasikan blok ini, terpisah dari Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE),” tutur Jonan.

Terkait proses transisi, Kepala SKK Migas Amien Sunaryadi menjelaskan, tengah malam 31 Desember 2017 merupakan batas pengalihan pengelolaan Blok Mahakam. Pada saat itu, tim dari Total, Pertamina, dan SKK Migas harus berada di lapangan untuk serah terima pengelolaan. “Meteran gas dan minyak harus dilihat pada 00:00, ini menjadi batas mana punya Total dan Pertamina.

Total dan Inpex Corporation menjadi operator pengelola Blok Mahakam sejak kontrak ditandatangani pada 16 Oktober 1966 dan berakhir tanggal 30 Maret 1997. Produksi pertama Blok Mahakam terjadi pada 1974. Kontrak Blok Mahakam kemudian diperpanjang pada 11 Januari 1997 dan akan berakhir pada 31 Desember 2017 ini. Blok Mahakam meliputi lapangan gas Peciko, Tunu, Tambora, Sisi-Nubi, dan South Mahakam. Selain itu, termasuk juga lapangan minyak Bekapai dan Handil.

Investor Daily, Page-9, Monday, March, 13, 2017

Production Levels Must be Preserved

The government requested the production of the Mahakam block in East Kalimantan Kutai can be maintained during the transition from Total E & P Indonesie to Pertamina Hulu Mahakam on January 1, 2018.

"I'm still maintained production maintained its production capacity in order to remain good although many facilities are getting old. Later the government will make the regulation immediately so that production capacity does not go down," said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) lgnasius Jonan

He also asked the Mahakam Block Shares deals can reach a maximum of 39% to the existing contractor. Pertamina can carry out production operations together with the existing contractor Total E & P Indonesie and lnpex Corporation in the Mahakam block. The tender offer 39% greater than the previous 30%.

In addition, Jonan also asked the Pertamina Hulu Mahakam offers 10% the right to manage the Mahakam block to local governments. Conditions participating interest (rights management) 10% This is a form of partiality central government to the oil-producing region.

It is also part of the implementation of EMR Ministerial Regulation No. 37/2016 about offering a 10% participating interest in the oil and gas working areas. This rule was signed on November 25, 2016. If this scenario well, meaning that Pertamina will have a 51% management rights Mahakam block. While total joint lnpex as much as 39%, and 10% owned by local governments.

"I've been told by Total, please talk with Pertamina and SKK Migas, Pertamina could offer share down 39% maximum share, it may be, because 10% of its shares to local governments. Shares Pertamina to be the majority, while the clerks, I guess not replaced, "he said.

In addition to continually strive to maintain and even increase oil production. Jonan asking Local Government should be involved in oil and gas production costs strive for a more effective and efficient. "Oil and gas industry can not decide the selling price of goods such as gas or crude oil because it is based on the market. We encourage the use of more precise technology and reduce costs of unnecessary," said Jonan.

In addition, he also asked SKK Migas can help the approval process can be faster not have to wait up to two years. It encourages SKK Migas can work with local authorities to speed up the permit process.

"If there is a document that inefficient local government, then we know the love of his local government, a government regulation on the PI 10% of its local governments should help because local governments get 10%," he said.

The government also seeks to provide easiness or fiscal incentives that are willing to carry out exploration activities in oil prices average $ 50 per barrel. "Improving this exploration is important but risky. Sometimes when he is conducting exploration, drilling get a dry hole, lost money US $ 50-100 million and so it was a risk, so we own it tries how fiscal incentives can help, "he said. "

Similar SKK Migas Head Sunaryadi Amien said local governments should help the efficiency of upstream oil and gas industry. "Because if the process of rapid exploration, discovery faster, faster production, local governments get the money too fast," said Amien.

IN INDONESIAN

Tingkat Produksi Harus Dijaga

Pemerintah meminta produksi Blok Mahakam di Kutai Kalimantan Timur dapat dijaga selama masa transisi dari Total E&P Indonesie ke Pertamina Hulu Mahakam pada 1 Januari 2018.

"Saya minta produksi tetap dijaga dipertahankan kapasitas produksinya agar tetap baik walaupun banyak fasilitas yang sudah mulai tua. Nanti pemerintah akan membuat peraturan segera supaya kapasitas produksinya tidak turun," kata Menteri Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM) lgnasius Jonan 

Dia juga meminta penawaran Saham Blok Mahakam dapat mencapai maksimal 39% kepada kontraktor existing. Pertamina bisa melaksanakan kegiatan operasi produksi bersama-sama dengan kontraktor existing yakni Total E&P Indonesie dan lnpex Corporation di Blok Mahakam. Penawaran saham 39% lebih besar dari sebelumnya yakni sebesar 30%. 

Di samping itu, Jonan juga meminta kepada Pertamina Hulu Mahakam menawarkan 10% hak kelola Blok Mahakam kepada pemerintah daerah. Ketentuan participating interest (hak kelola) 10% ini merupakan bentuk keberpihakan pemerintah pusat kepada daerah penghasil migas.

Hal tersebut juga bagian dari penerapan Peraturan Menteri ESDM No 37/ 2016 tentang penawaran participating interest 10% pada wilayah kerja migas. Aturan ini ditandatangani pada 25 November 2016. Jika skenario ini lancar, artinya Pertamina akan memiliki 51% hak kelola Blok Mahakam. Sedangkan Total bersama lnpex sebanyak 39%, dan 10% dimiliki pemerintah daerah.

"Saya sudah bilang dengan Total, silakan bicara dengan Pertamina dan SKK Migas. Pertamina bisa menawarkan share down 39% saham maksimum, itu boleh, karena 10% sahamnya ke pemerintah daerah. Saham Pertamina harus mayoritas, sementara para pegawai, saya kira tidak diganti," katanya.

Selain terus berupaya untuk mempertahankan bahkan meningkatkan produksi migas. Jonan meminta Pemerintah Daerah harus dilibatkan dalam mengupayakan agar biaya produksi migas lebih efektif dan efisien.  "Industri migas tidak bisa menentukan sendiri harga jual barang seperti gas ataupun crude oil karena berdasarkan pasar. Kami mendorong penggunaan teknologi lebih tepat dan mengurangi biaya-biaya yang tidak perlu," kata Jonan. 

Selain itu, dia juga meminta SKK Migas dapat membantu proses izin dapat lebih cepat tidak perlu menunggu sampai dua tahun. Pihaknya mendorong SKK Migas dapat bekerja sama dengan pemerintah daerah dengan mempercepat proses izin. 

"Kalau ada dokumen pemerintah daerah yang tidak efisien, maka kami kasih tahu pemerintah daerah-nya. Peraturan Pemerintah tentang PI 10% itu pemerintah daerah-nya harus membantu karena pemerintah daerah mendapatkan 10%," kata dia.

Pemerintah juga berupaya memberikan kemudahan-kemudahan atau insentif fiskal agar bersedia melakukan kegiatan eksplorasi di saat harga minyak rata-rata US$ 50 per barel. ”Meningkatkan eksplorasi ini penting sekali tapi mengandung risiko. Kadang kalau dia melakukan eksplorasi, pengeboran mendapatkan dry hole, kehilangan uang US$ 50-100 juta dan sebagainya itu risiko, makanya kami sendiri itu mencoba bagaimana insentif fiskal itu bisa membantu,” ujarnya. ”

Senada Kepala SKK Migas Amien Sunaryadi mengatakan pemerintah daerah harus membantu efisiensi industri hulu migas. ”Karena kalau proses eksplorasinya cepat, discovery cepat, produksi cepat, pemerintah daerah dapat uangnya juga cepat,” kata Amien.

Koran Sindo, Page-8, Monday, March, 13, 2017

Mackenzie: Gross Split Scheme Prevent Oil and Gas Investment

The government version, many oil and gas companies want to wear a gross scheme split

Consulting and research institutions in the fields of energy, metals, and mining Wood Mackenzie published analysis that compares the production sharing contract (PSC) cost recovery with gross schemes split.

Mackenzie highlighted four things on the Regulation of the Minister. No. 8/2017 on gross revenue share split in oil and gas. First, Mackenzie called the main difference between the PSC with gross PSC split. Second they evaluate exploration under the new policy gross split. Third, the application of gross split to block the extension of the case studies the Offshore North West Java (ONWJ). Fourth, the implications of the implementation of this new regulation.

From the conclusion of the fourth analysis of the issue, Ashima Taneja, Senior Research Manager South, Eastern Asia Upstream Oil and Gas Wood Mackenzie rate, gross PSC scheme actually split relatively negatively impacting the economics of upstream projects, when compared with the PSC cosit recovery scheme. Therefore, the cost will no longer be restored using a system of cost recovery.

Understandably, gross regime split eliminate cost recovery mechanism. This put pressure on the contractor to control costs by encouraging more quickly and efficiently in the upstream sector, "he said.

So that the contractor can earn revenue from oil and gas blocks are still in production, the contractor must reduce costs closely. "Even in the case of exploration, gross split system would deter investment, especially the working area with high costs and are in remote areas," said Ashima.

In order for Indonesian upstream oil and gas investment more attractive, Ashima that the Indonesian government could discuss the improvement of bureaucracy and regulations that impede that still interfere with upstream oil and gas investment climate in Indonesia.

"It is still unclear how the process is cumbersome and lengthy approval system will be improved, and if the new fiscal regime could actually improve efficiency," he said.

In addition, Ashima also questioned the idea that the greater the results for the contractor, so as to bring new investment interest. He is believed roformasi regulation could make operations more efficient upstream oil and gas.

Deputy Minister at the same initiators gross scheme PSC split, Arczandra Tahar claims with gross schemes split, there has been some of the existing oil and gas companies actually want to change the contract of PSC PSC gross cost revofuery be split. However Arcandra not answer the names of companies that are interested in using gross split it.

IN INDONESIAN

Mackenzie: Gross Split Halangi Investasi Migas

Versi pemerintah, banyak perusahaan migas ingin memakai skema gross split

Konsultan dan lembaga riset di bidang energi, logam, dan tambang Wood Mackenzie menerbitkan analisis yang membandingkan production sharing contract (PSC) cost recovery dengan skema gross split. 

Mackenzie menyoroti empat hal pada Peraturan Menteri ESDM. No 8/2017 tentang gross split di bagi hasil minyak dan gas bumi. Pertama, Mackenzie menyebut perbedaan utama antara PSC dengan PSC gross split. Kedua mereka mengevaluasi eksplorasi di bawah kebijakan baru gross split. Ketiga, penerapan gross split kepada blok perpanjangan dengan studi kasus Blok Offshore North West Java (ONWJ). Keempat, implikasi penerapan regulasi baru ini.

Dari kesimpulan analisis keempat masalah itu, Ashima Taneja, Senior Research Manager South, Eastern Asia Upstream Oil and Gas Wood Mackenzie menilai, skema PSC gross split justru relatif berdampak negatif bagi keekonomian proyek hulu, jika dibandingkan dengan skema PSC cosit recovery. Sebab, biaya yang dikeluarkan tidak lagi dikembalikan menggunakan sistem cost recovery.

Maklum, rezim gross split menghilangkan mekanisme cost recovery. Ini memberi tekanan pada kontraktor untuk mengendalikan biaya dengan mendorong lebih cepat dan efisien di sektor hulu," kata dia.

Agar kontraktor bisa meraih penghasilan dari blok migas yang masih berproduksi, kontraktor harus mengurangi biaya secara ketat. "Bahkan dalam kasus eksplorasi, sistem gross split akan menghalangi investasi, terutama wilayah kerja dengan biaya tinggi dan berada di area terpencil," kata Ashima.

Agar investasi hulu migas Indonesia lebih menarik, Ashima menyarankan agar pemerintah Indonesia bisa mendiskusikan perbaikan birokrasi dan regulasi yang menghambat yang selama ini masih mengganggu iklim investasi hulu migas Indonesia.

"Ini masih belum jelas bagaimana proses yang tidak praktis dan sistem persetujuan yang panjang akan diperbaiki, dan jika rezim fiskal baru benar-benar bisa meningkatkan efisiensi," ujarnya.

Selain itu, Ashima juga mempertanyakan, pendapat bahwa bagi hasil lebih besar bagi kontraktor, sehingga bisa membawa ketertarikan investasi baru. Ia lebih percaya roformasi regulasi bisa membuat operasi hulu migas menjadi lebih efisien.

Wakil Menteri ESDM sekaligus penggagas skema gross split PSC, Arczandra Tahar mengklaim dengan skema  gross split, telah ada beberapa perusahaan migas eksisting justru ingin mengubah kontrak dari PSC cost revofuery menjadi PSC gross split. Namun Arcandra tidak menjawab nama-nama perusahaan yang berminat menggunakan gross split itu. 

Kontan, Page-14, Monday, March, 13, 2017

Industry President Bill Promises

Gas prices in North Sumatra Still Pegged 12.22 US Dollars per MMBTU

Among industrial users of gas in North Sumatra re-charge the realization of the promise of President Joko Widodo lower gas prices in North Sumatra. Until mid-March 2017, the price of gas for industry players in Medan remain pegged at a price of 12.22 US dollars per MMBTU.

Although it has been published Presidential Decree No. 40 of 2016, which states the decline in prices per January 1, 2016, then came the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources 453K / 12 / MEM / 2017 dated February 13, 2017, stating the fall in prices per February 1, 2017, but until Sunday (12/3) in industrial gas prices fixed Sumatra 12.22 US dollars per million metric british thermal unit (MMBTU).

The price was much higher than the prices in East Java, for example, is pegged 8 US dollars per MMBTU or Malaysia-Singapore 4-5 dollars per MMBTU. Industry requested immediate realization considering the decline in industry conditions increasingly depressed. Industry in North Sumatra increasingly competitive, inferior to similar industries of Java, let alone similar products from abroad.

Waste Oil

Compass watchlist PT Kedaung Industrial Medan, Tanjung Morawa, Deli Serdang, last weekend, the two production machines are not in operation. One machine was turned off in 2015 when the gas crisis occurred in North Sumatra, and another one is turned off on December 29, 2016. The atmosphere deserted factory, glass block production machine network and equipment began dusty.

In an effort to reduce the cost of gas energy, which reached 40 percent of total production costs, the company uses fuel oil to burn Iimbah products. However, the impact is bad, because it makes the engine crusty. As a result, kilns collapsed and the company lose money twice.

Two factories of the four existing factories eventually stopped operating. Employees who reach 1,000 people, to 800 people. "We are now waiting for the realization of the decline in gas prices was to reduce production costs," said Plant Manager PT Kedaung Industrial Medan Sugianto.

The increase in gas price to 12.22 dollars from 8.7 dollars per MMBTU in 2015 made glassware production costs rose 200 percent. While product prices can not be raised because similar products from Java to Sumatra entered at competitive rates.

Since January, in addition to using gas from PT PGN worth 12.22 US dollars per MMBTU, PT Kedaung also use gas supplied trucking Pertagas PT Niaga at a price of 10.5 US dollars per MMBTU. Companies claimed could save 1.72 US dollars per MMBTU. The total requirement Kedaung gas per day to 20,000 MMBTU

Worse

Steel industry conditions worse, because in addition to bear the burden of high energy costs, also should bear the fee of Anti-Dumping (BMAD). PT Intan National Iron Industry (PT inii), for example, after the price of gas went up, they switch to using oil. However, his condition is getting worse because BMAD policy.

To produce zinc coated steel (BjLS) with material cold rolled coil (CRC) in the country, the cost of the required production reached 16.152 million USD per ton. While currently producing BjLS of CRC imports (from India), the cost is only $ 14.113 million per tonne. It also must compete with products imported non-BMAD BjLS non-SNI outstanding in the field that cost Rp 12.6 million per ton.

"Better we trade any noisier than take care of the plant and its employees," said General Manager of PT inii, Nurbahagia. Since 2014, the company is only selling services.

PT Intan Suar Kartika, a manufacturer of nail, through the same thing. The Company reduced production. "If the CRC imports are allowed, we can promise to the state revenue of Rp 3.8 million per ton of our products," says Production Manager PT Intan Suar Kartika Sutrisno.

At present, the import duty nail Rp 30 million per one container (25 tons), or Rp 1.2 million per ton. That is where the money goes into unknown direction. Sales Area Head of PT PGN Medan Saeful Hadi said it was still waiting for the realization of the price decrease. At present, counting the downturn in various sectors, especially in the upstream, still do. "Despite the minister's decision, there must be the details," said Saeful.

Saeful admit, it never gives a circular about the decline in gas prices last year, but was canceled again because there is no law provisions. "We just follow the steps of the government," said Hadi Saeful.

According Saeful, the decline in gas prices in North Sumatra walking difficult, because the industry in North Sumatra collapsed not only because of the gas. Many factors led to lower production industry. Plan a decrease in gas prices, according to Saeful, turned out to have an impact on the increase in the number of gas consumption. Last February, PGN gas consumption in North Sumatra reached 9 million MMBTU per month. After the government announced last fall in prices, the last two months increased gas consumption reached 30 percent.

IN INDONESIAN

Industri Tagih Janji Presiden

Harga Gas di Sumut Tetap Dipatok 12,22 Dollar AS Per MMBTU

Kalangan industri pengguna gas di Sumatera Utara kembali menagih realisasi janji Presiden Joko Widodo menurunkan harga gas di Sumatera Utara. Sampai pertengahan Maret 2017, harga gas untuk pelaku industri di Medan tetap dipatok dengan harga 12,22 dollar AS per MMBTU.

Meski telah terbit Peraturan Presiden Nomor 40 Tahun 2016, yang menyatakan penurunan harga per 1 Januari 2016, lalu muncul Peraturan Menteri Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral 453K/12/MEM/2017 tanggal 13 Februari 2017, yang menyatakan penurunan harga per 1 Februari 2017, tetapi hingga Minggu (12/3) harga gas industri di Sumut tetap 12,22 dollar AS per juta metrik british thermal unit (MMBTU).

Harga itu jauh lebih tinggi daripada harga di Jawa Timur, misalnya yang dipatok 8 dollar AS per MMBTU atau Malaysia-Singapura 4-5 dollar AS per MMBTU. Kalangan industri meminta realisasi penurunan segera dilakukan mengingat kondisi industri semakin tertekan. Industri di Sumut semakin tidak memiliki daya saing, kalah dengan industri serupa dari Jawa, apalagi produk serupa dari luar negeri.

Minyak Limbah

Pantauan Kompas di PT Kedaung Industrial Medan, di Tanjung Morawa, Deli Serdang, akhir pekan lalu, dua mesin produksi tidak beroperasi. Satu mesin dimatikan pada tahun 2015 saat krisis gas terjadi di Sumut, dan satu lagi sudah dimatikan pada 29 Desember 2016. Suasana pabrik sunyi, jaringan mesin produksi block glass dan peralatan itu mulai berdebu.

Dalam upaya menekan biaya energi gas yang mencapai 40 persen total biaya produksi, perusahaan menggunakan bahan bakar minyak Iimbah untuk membakar produknya. Namun, dampaknya buruk, karena membuat mesin berkerak. Akibatnya, dapur pembakaran ambrol dan perusahaan merugi dua kali.

Dua pabrik dari empat pabrik yang ada akhirnya berhenti beroperasi. Karyawan yang mencapai 1.000 orang, menjadi 800 orang. ”Kami kini menunggu realisasi penurunan harga gas itu untuk mengurangi beban produksi,” kata Manager Pabrik PT Kedaung Industrial Medan Sugianto.

Kenaikan harga gas hingga 12,22 dollar AS dari 8,7 dollar AS per MMBTU pada 2015 membuat biaya produksi barang pecah belah naik 200 persen. Sementara harga produk tidak bisa dinaikkan karena produk sejenis dari Jawa pun masuk ke Sumatera dengan harga yang bersaing.

Sejak Januari lalu, selain menggunakan gas dari PT PGN seharga 12,22 dollar AS per MMBTU, PT Kedaung juga menggunakan gas trucking yang dipasok PT Pertagas Niaga dengan harga 10,5 dollar AS per MMBTU. Perusahaan mengaku bisa menghemat 1,72 dollar AS per MMBTU. Total kebutuhan gas Kedaung per hari mencapai 20.000 MMBTU

Lebih buruk

Kondisi industri baja lebih buruk lagi, karena selain menanggung beban biaya energi yang tinggi, juga harus menanggung Biaya Masuk Anti-Dumping (BMAD). PT Intan Nasional Iron Industri (PT INII), misalnya, setelah harga gas naik, mereka beralih menggunakan minyak. Namun, kondisinya semakin terpuruk karena kebijakan BMAD.

Untuk memproduksi baja lapis seng (BjLS) dengan bahan cold rolled coil (CRC) dalam negeri, biaya produksi yang dibutuhkan mencapai Rp 16,152 juta per ton. Sementara saat memproduksi BjLS dari CRC impor (dari India), biayanya hanya Rp 14,113 juta per ton. Pihaknya juga harus bersaing dengan produk BjLS impor non-BMAD non-SNI yang beredar di lapangan yang harganya Rp 12,6 juta per ton. 

”Lebih baik kami berdagang saja daripada ribut mengurus pabrik dan karyawan,” kata General Manager PT INII, Nurbahagia. Sejak 2014, perusahaan hanya menjual jasa. 

PT Intan Suar Kartika, produsen paku, mengalami hal yang sama. Perusahaan mengurangi produksi. ”Kalau CRC impor diperbolehkan, kami bisa menjanjikan pemasukan ke negara Rp 3,8 juta per ton produk kami,” kata Manajer Produksi PT Intan Suar Kartika Sutrisno.

Saat ini, bea masuk impor paku Rp 30 juta per satu kontainer (25 ton) atau Rp 1,2 juta per ton. Itu pun uangnya masuk ke mana tidak jelas arahnya. Sales Area Head PT PGN Medan Saeful Hadi mengatakan, pihaknya masih menunggu realisasi penurunan harga itu. Saat ini, penghitungan penurunan di berbagai sektor, terutama di hulu, masih dilakukan. ”Meskipun sudah ada keputusan menteri, harus ada detailnya,” kata Saeful.

Saeful mengakui, pihaknya pernah memberikan surat edaran tentang penurunan harga gas pada tahun lalu, tetapi dibatalkan lagi karena belum ada ketetapan hukumnya. ”Kami hanya mengikuti langkah dari pemerintah,” kata Saeful Hadi.

Menurut Saeful, penurunan harga gas di Sumut berjalan sulit,  karena industri di Sumut terpuruk tidak hanya karena gas. Banyak faktor yang menyebabkan kalangan industri menurunkan produksinya. Rencana penurunan harga gas, menurut Saeful, ternyata berdampak pada kenaikan jumlah konsumsi gas. Februari lalu, konsumsi gas PGN di Sumut mencapai 9 juta MMBTU per bulan. Setelah pemerintah mengumumkan ada penurunan harga, dua bulan terakhir konsumsi gas meningkat mencapai 30 persen. 

Kompas, Page-22, Monday, March, 13, 2017

Green light for Total E & P Indonesie

Operator Mahakam block

Total E & P lndonesie chance to get back to managing the Mahakam block, after the government sent a signal opening the possibility. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ignatius Jonan said that Total could again become carriers after 2017, when Pertamina was not interested.

Total could hold talks with Pertamina associated with it. Meanwhile, the Special Unit of Upstream Oil and Gas (SKK Migas) will bridge the two sides.

"The total may be carriers. So I say, try to talk with the government later facilitated SKK Migas, if for example Total invite Pertamina into a joint operator. If Pertamina does not want to manage the Mahakam block, Total also can manage, but I guess a mix [joint operations], "he said on the sidelines of the visit in the Mahakam block, Friday (10/3).

Currently, Total E & P Indonesie operate the Mahakam block with a stake of participation of 50% and 50% lnpex. After 2017, PT Pertamina through PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam be the operator and own 90% of shares and 10% participation of the Regional Government of East Kalimantan.

SKK Migas head Amien Sunaryadi say if later Total interested in becoming operators return, the cooperation contract does not need to be amended. According to him, it depends on the talks carried out by Pertamina as the new contractor with Total as the existing contractor.

The opportunity for Total, he said, based on the desire to address concerns that the current conditions can not be achieved with the new contractor. Amien not answer directly possible reasons Total return operate the Mahakam block.

Meanwhile, President Director & General Manager of Total E & P Indonesie, Arividya Noviyanto said these opportunities should be discussed first with the headquarters. Problem share ownership opportunities for greater participation to 39%, Total will refer to the results of the economic study beforehand. "If the percentage, we will convey to the head office later discussed again, with the Minister ESDN and Pertamina," he said.

According to him, during the transition period has been discussed about the effort to maintain production, including human resources. Issues long-term contracts with buyers of gas until 2022, which should be guaranteed supply, discussed with Pertamina. "Although it is transferred, we also talk to it," he said. Until this news was revealed, Pertamina has not been answered.

IN INDONESIAN

OPERATOR BLOK MAHAKAM

Lampu Hijau untuk Total E&P Indonesie

Total E&P lndonesie berpeluang kembali mengelola Blok Mahakam, setelah pemerintah mengirim sinyal terbukanya kemungkinan tersebut. Menteri Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM) Ignasius Jonan mengatakan Total bisa saja kembali menjadi operator setelah 2017, bila Pertamina tidak berminat. 

Total bisa melakukan pembicaraan dengan Pertamina terkait dengan hal tersebut. Adapun, Satuan Kerja Khusus Pelaksana Kegiatan Usaha Hulu Minyak dan Gas Bumi (SKK Migas) akan menjembatani kedua belah pihak. 

“Total boleh menjadi operator. Makanya saya bilang, coba bicara dengan pemerintah nanti difasilitasi SKK Migas, kalau misalnya Total mengajak Pertamina menjadi operator bersama. Kalau Pertamina tidak mau mengelola Blok Mahakam, Total yang mengelola juga bisa, tetapi saya kira campuran [operasi bersama],” ujarnya di sela-sela kunjungan di Blok Mahakam, Jumat (10/3).

Saat ini, Total E & P Indonesie mengoperasikan Blok Mahakam dengan kepemilikan saham partisipasi sebesar 50% dan lnpex 50%. Setelah 2017, PT Pertamina melalui PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam menjadi operator serta menguasai 90% saham partisipasi dan 10% Pemerintah Daerah Kalimantan Timur.

Kepala SKK Migas Amien Sunaryadi mengatakan bila nantinya Total berminat menjadi operator kembali, kontrak kerja sama tidak perlu diamendemen. Menurutnya, hal itu tergantung pada pembicaraan yang dilakukan Pertamina sebagai kontraktor baru dengan Total sebagai kontraktor eksisting. 

Terbukanya peluang bagi Total, menurutnya, didasari oleh keinginan untuk menjawab kekhawatiran bahwa kondisi saat ini tidak bisa tercapai dengan adanya kontraktor baru. Amien tidak menjawab secara langsung alasan kemungkinan Total kembali mengoperasikan Blok Mahakam. 

Sementara itu, President Director & General Manager Total E & P Indonesie, Arividya Noviyanto mengatakan peluang ini harus dibicarakan terlebih dahulu dengan kantor pusat. Soal peluang kepemilikan saham partisipasi yang lebih besar menjadi 39%, Total akan merujuk pada hasil kajian keekonomian terlebih dahulu. “Kalau masalah persentasenya, akan kami sampaikan ke head office nanti diskusikan lagi, dengan Menteri ESDN dan Pertamina,” katanya.

Menurutnya, selama masa transisi sudah dibahas mengenai upaya mempertahankan produksi, termasuk juga sumber daya manusia. Masalah kontrak jangka panjang dengan pembeli gas hingga 2022 yang harus dijamin pasokannya, dibahas dengan Pertamina. “Walaupun ditransfer, kami juga bicara itu,” katanya. Hingga berita ini diturunkan, pihak Pertamina belum menjawab.

Bisnis Indonesia, Page-1, Monday, March, 13, 2017

Investors still in ‘wait and see’ mode on gross split scheme

The appetite for Indonesia’s oil and gas assets remains thin despite the introduction of a new scheme to boost investor interest earlier this year, as global crude prices are yet to recover from their two-year slump.

The gross-split scheme is expected to help counter the current low oil prices through a mechanism with which the profit distribution between the government and contractors with a production-sharing contract (PSC) will slide up and down according to specific factors. These include an extra 5 percent for the contractor share whenever the Indonesian crude price (ICP) remains between US$40 to $55 per barrel.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is prepping several conventional and unconventional oil and gas fields to be put up for auction this year under the new gross-split sliding scale in hopes that it will compensate for the lack of bids from investors in the past few years.

However, investors remain uncertain about the feasibility of the gross-split scheme and are apparently adopting a “wait and see” attitude while the Offshore North-west Java (ONWJ) progresses. The ONWJ is set to be the first oil and gas field whose contract will be renewed under the new mechanism. Indonesia Petroleum Association executive director Mariolijn Wajong said oil and gas players would be taking into account global crude prices when considering whether to bid on the fields in the upcoming tender.

“The continuously low oil prices have increased competition in determining who will get investments because there is a shortage of capital across the globe. We hope that the blocks on offer will be able to compete with investments abroad,” she recently told The Jakarta Post. “We’ll just have to wait and see the results.” 

Global crude oil prices hit an all-year low on Friday with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) trading at $49.63 per barrel, while fellow benchmark Brent also traded at $52.50. Many analysts had been optimistic that crude oil prices might eventually hit $55 per barrel this year after OPEC announced last November that its members would cut production by about 1.2 million barrels of oil per day (bopd), while non-members of the oil cartel would slash output by around 600,000 bopd. 

However, Fitch Ratings has predicted that the recovery in US drilling activity will drive up shale oil production in the second half of 2017, offsetting some of the oil price gains in . January and February. Consequently the average oil price for the rest of the year may be lower than in the first two months, which hovered between $53 and $57 per barrel.

Despite the government’s optimism about the effectiveness of the gross-split scheme in luring investors in times of low crude prices, some business players are doubtful. The Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) energy and mineral resources chairman, Sammy Hamzah, said the new scheme raised questions about sunk costs of production fields that previously could be reimbursed through the current cost recovery scheme. 

Although the new gross-split scheme allowed the energy and mineral resources minister to reward an additional 5 percent to contractors based on his discretion, it would not be enough, Sammy said.

“For example, my company [Ephindo Energy Private Ltd.] has seven PSCs for coal bed methane [CBM] fields. What will happen to the sunk costs? Will they just disappear or will they be carried over to the new contract, and in what form‘?” he said. “One of my contracts has sunk costs up to $ 30 million, which means it is unlikely that the 5 percent will cover it, 'especially since CBM has low rates of production.”

Investors would likely be more enthusiastic if they were given an option to sign new contracts under the gross-split scheme or cost recovery, which would also enable the government to test out its new method, he added.

Jakarta Post, Page-14, Saturday, March, 11, 2017