BPH Migas plans pilot project for use of gas in train, sea transport
Thursday, February 19 2015 - 03:29 AM WIB
Director of Gas at BPH Migas Djoko Siswanto said Wednesday that he had discussed the plan with state-owned train operator PT KAI and state-owned shipping firm PT Pelni, and that MoUs are expected to be signed soon.
Under the plan, KAI would provide locomotives, while Pelni ships for the pilot project, meanwhile state-owned gas distributors firms PT Pertamina Gas and PT PGN will provide the gas infrastructure facilities. The Directorate General of Sea Transportation will provide the required land for the gas fueling stations.
He said that the use of gas for sea and train transportation has been successful in Norway and Canada.
He added that Indonesian vessels have been banned from entering Europe because it still relies of diesel fuel, while the regulation there requires a mixture of 70 percent LNG.
Djoko said that according to a study by the Technology Research and Application Agency BPPT, there are 286 train locomotives that can use gas as fuel.
Diesel consumption by locomotives in the country is estimated at 108,000 kilo liters per year. ?With gas it would only require 11 mmscfd,? he said, adding that there are about 80 ships ready for the fuel to gas conversion program in the future. (*)