BPMIGAS to provide business opportunity to local shipyard

The upstream oil and gas regulator BPMIGAS plans to engage local shipyard and related supporting industries in the development of the upstream oil and gas sector including in the provision of routine maintenance for offshore vessels and the supply of particular type of vessels.

?About 70 percent of upstream oil and gas activities are carried out in offshore,? said Rizal Asir, General Deputy at BPMIGAS on Wednesday.

According to BPMIGAS there are currently 526 vessels being operated routinely to support offshore oil and gas activities in the country, and another 100 supporting vessels. Going forward, more vessels will be required as the country moves to seek new oil reserves in the deep water. Rizal said that up to 2015, at least 235 additional vessels will be required including the so-called C-category vessels such as pipe lay barge, drilling ship, survey vessel, and jack up rig.

Rizal said that BPMIGAS plans to hold a meeting with oil and gas contractors and local shipping industry to identify what type of vessels would be required in the future, and to look into the capacity of the local industry and the challenges they faced in order to be able to meet future demand.

Talks with local banking industry to provide the necessary funding will also be held. (godang)