Batam, West Java to get Gajah Baru gas

By Godang Sitompul

In addition to West Java, gas from the Gajah Baru field in Natuna operated by Premier Oil, is most likely to be flowed to Batam as well.

Previously, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Rudi Rubiandini said that the government has found a buyer for the Gajah Baru gas, which is an industry in West Java. But, it looks like Batam will get a portion of the gas as well, according to the upstream authority BPMIGAS.

?It?s most likely that the government will allocate the Gajah Baru gas to Batam and West Java, although it has not yet final,? BPMIGAS Head of PR, Security and Formality Division Hadi prasetyo told petromindo.com.

Evita Legowo, Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry, confirmed the allocation.

The Gajah Baru gas was initially dedicated for PLN?s Muara Tawar power plant in Bekasi, West Java. But the plan was never materialized due to the lack of pipeline capacity in the gas distribution network. The government has been forced to find new buyers since.

Editing by Dadan Wijaksana