Banyu Urip?s production back to normal

By Febry Silaban

Production at the Banyu Urip field in Cepu block has been back to full rate of over 80,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) after being reduced following a security incident, ExxonMobil Indonesia said in a statement on Tuesday.

?Production restarted on Sunday, 2 August 2015 and is back to full rate of over 80,000 barrels per day,? Erwin Maryoto, Vice President Public and Government Affairs of ExxonMobil Indonesia, said in a statement.

A security incident occurred at EPC 1 of the Banyu Urip Project site on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015. Subcontract workers employed through Tripatra-Samsung, the EPC 1 contractor of the project, were departing the worksite around lunch hour when a disturbance evolved resulting in damage to property including vehicles and offices. Work at the EPC 1 and 5 sites was stopped and production from facilities near the incident was temporarily shut-in.

ExxonMobil Cepu Limited (EMCL), the operator of the block, is working closely with EPC1 contractor Tripatra-Samsung, police, and government agencies. An investigation is underway, Erwin said.

The extent of the damage is being assessed. Initial assessments indicate little damage to the Banyu Urip processing facility itself.

Activities on EPC5 recommenced on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, while EPC 1 restart planning and repairs to the damaged offices is ongoing. Workers will restart following completion of the investigation, the firm said.

EPC works at the Banyu Urip project are divided in four packages:
1. EPC-1 for Production Processing Facilities
2. EPC-2 for EPC Onshore Pipeline Facilities (72km)
3. EPC-3 for EPC Offshore Pipeline Facilities (23km) and Mooring Tower
4. EPC-4 for FSO (Floating Storage and Offloading)
5. EPC-5 for Infrastructure Facilities

Editing by Johannes Simbolon