BPMIGAS calls for increase in ONWJ production to 55,000 bpd

Upstream authority BPMIGAS has called on PT Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ to increase production of the company?s Onshore North West Java (ONWJ) block to 55,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2014 from about 35,200 bpd this year.

The upstream authority said that the production expansion could be made by increasing the withdrawal rate of the existing wells to 15 percent.

Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ, the operator of the oil field, said it was ready to meet the target expected by BPMIGAS.

Previously, the company has set a target to produce 40,000 bpd in 2014 by expanding exploration activities in the oil block.

Production at ONWJ could be increased to 55,000 bpd in 2014 by further increasing the production at the existing wells.

"We are ready to help Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ to meet the target,? Haposan Napitupulu, BPMIGAS Deputy Chairman for Planning, said during an inspection at the Onshore Receiving Facilities (ORF) in Muara Karang, North Jakarta.

Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ expects to produce oil of about 35,200 bpd and gas of about 225 billion British thermal unit (Btu) or equivalent to 205 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd), this year.

In 2011, Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ produced oil at about 32,200 bpd and 186 Btu per day of gas. In order to further boost the production, Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ has set aside $806 million in capital expenditure, up from $590 million, last year.

Editing by Roffie Kurniawan