Conoco halts Belanak LPG production after buoy sinks

Indonesian unit of US oil, gas firm ConocoPhillips halted LPG production from its Belanak field in South Natuna Sea Block B PSC after a catenary anchor leg mooring buoy sink late last month.

?Repair is underway, but on worst-case scenario, LPG production would not resume in six months,? Elan Biantoro, Spokesperson of upstream oil, gas authority BPMIGAS told Petromindo.com on Thursday.

Elan did not give detail on the cause of the buoy to sink, adding that investigation is underway.

ConocoPhillips Indonesia Spokesperson was not available for comment.

According to Elan, Belanak has LPG production capacity of around 400,000 metric tonnes per annum.

State oil, gas company PT Pertamina (Persero), which offtakes Belanak?s LPG production confirmed the field?s production stoppage. ?Last LPG supply from Belanak was in October,? said Spokesperson M. Harun. ( godang)