The government hopes that the visit of US Vice President Mike Pence this weekend can encourage investors from Uncle Sam's country to invest upstream and downstream oil and gas in the country.
Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) I Gusti Nyoman Wiratmaja Puja hopes that the arrival of the second person of the United States can attract investors to invest in Indonesia. Indonesia became one of four countries visited by US Vice President Mike Pence namely Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
In addition, Pence arrival can increase investment in the upstream and downstream sector of oil and gas. As an illustration, investment from companies from the United States has just been seen in the upstream oil and gas sector with the contribution of activities undertaken by Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips.
As of March 31, 2017, KKKS's investments reached US $ 1.9 billion or 14% of the government's target of US $ 513.8 billion this year.
In terms of production, Chevron has produced 230,170 barrels per day (bpd) of oil in the first quarter of 2017, ExxonMobil in Cepu Block at 196,443 bpd. The oil production from the two US companies contributed about 52 percent of the realization of the production of ready-to-sell oil (lifting) in Indonesia at 815,797 bpd during the first quarter of 2017. ConocoPhillips on the Corridor Block produces 1.013 million cubic feet per day (MMscfd) or 13% of the 7,740 MMscfd gas lifting rate.
Wiratmaja hopes that the oil and gas company will invest in the development of deep-sea work areas and non-conventional oil and gas blocks. "We are expecting the momentum of the Vice President's visit to increase US investment in oil and gas, especially in deep sea exploration and marine exploration, and non-conventional," he said.
In addition to the upstream sector, there are other opportunities in the downstream sector of oil and gas that can be cultivated by US investors, such as refinery projects, gas infrastructure, and liquefied natural gas facilities. In addition, cooperation opportunities for oil and gas supply from the United States can also be possible because Pertamina has signed the purchase of liquefied natural gas from 2019.
Deputy Minister of EMR Arcandra Tahar said during ExxonMobil Senior Vice President's visit Corporation Mark W. Albers on Thursday (6/4), there is a positive signal the development of the block. According to him, ExxonMobil will deliver its commitment to accelerate the project through a letter to be sent within a month
Previously, there was an option to sign the East Natuna Block contract between ExxonMobil and the government in 2016. However, it was canceled due to market and technology review still running.
IN INDONESIAN
Republik Indonesia Berharap Investasi Migas
Pemerintah berharap agar kunjungan Wakil Presiden Amerika Serikat Mike Pence pada akhir pekan ini dapat mendorong investor asal Negeri Paman Sam itu menanamkan investasi sektor hulu dan hilir minyak dan gas bumi di Tanah Air.
Direktur Jenderal Minyak dan Gas Bumi Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM) I Gusti Nyoman Wiratmaja Puja berharap agar kedatangan orang nomor dua Amerika Serikat itu dapat menarik investor menanamkan modal di Indonesia. Indonesia menjadi satu di antara empat negara yang dikunjungi Wakil Presiden AS Mike Pence yakni Jepang, Korea Selatan, dan Australia.
Selain itu, kedatangan Pence dapat menaikkan investasi di sektor hulu dan hilir migas. Sebagai gambaran, investasi dari perusahaan asal Amerika Serikat baru saja terlihat di sektor hulu migas dengan kontribusi kegiatan yang dilakukan oleh Chevron, ExxonMobil, dan ConocoPhillips.
Hingga 31 Maret 2017, investasi yang sudah dikeluarkan KKKS mencapai US$1,9 miliar atau 14 % dari target yang ditetapkan pemerintah US$513,8 miliar pada tahun ini.
Dari sisi produksi, Chevron telah menghasilkan minyak 230.170 barel per hari (bph) pada kuartal I/2017, ExxonMobil di Blok Cepu sebesar 196.443 bph. Produksi minyak dari dua perusahaan AS itu berkontribusi sekitar 52% dari realisasi produksi minyak siap jual (lifting) di Tanah Air 815.797 bph selama kuartal I/2017. ConocoPhillips di Blok Corridor menghasilkan gas 1.013 juta kaki kubik per hari (MMscfd) atau 13% dari rerata lifting gas 7.740 MMscfd.
Wiratmaja berharap agar perusahaan migas tersebut berinvestasi untuk pengembangan wilayah kerja di laut dalam dan blok migas non-konvensional. “Kita mengharapkan momentum kedatangan Wapres USA ini dapat meningkatkan Investasi AS di bidang migas terutama eksplorasi dan eksploitasi laut dalam, dan non-konvensional," ujarnya
Selain sektor hulu, ada peluang lain di sektor hilir migas yang bisa digarap investor AS, seperti proyek kilang, infrastruktur gas, dan fasilitas gas alam cair. Selain itu, peluang kerja sama pasokan migas dari Amerika Serikat pun bisa dimungkinkan karena sebelumnya Pertamina telah meneken pembelian gas alam cair mulai 2019.
Wakil Menteri ESDM Arcandra Tahar mengatakan dalam kunjungan Senior Vice President ExxonMobil Corporation Mark W. Albers pada Kamis (6/4), terdapat sinyal positif pengembangan blok tersebut. Menurutnya, ExxonMobil akan menyampaikan komitmennya untuk melakukan percepatan proyek melalui sebuah surat yang akan dikirim dalam kurun waktu sebulan
Sebelumnya, terdapat opsi untuk meneken kontrak kerja sama Blok East Natuna antara ExxonMobil dengan pemerintah pada 2016. Namun, hal itu batal dilakukan karena kajian pasar dan teknologi masih berjalan.
Bisnis Indonesia, Page-23, Thursday, April, 20, 2017