Crude oil production still far below govt?s target: BPMIGAS

Oil and gas production is still far below the government?s 2011 target of 970,000 barrels per day (bpd) as bad weather and a gas supply problem have hampered production activities at Chevron Pacific Indonesia?s Duri field in Riau, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Tuesday.

BPMIGAS chairman R. Priyono said in Jakarta Monday that as of Feb. 17, the average crude oil and condensate reached only 904,175 bpd, still far below the government?s target of 970,000 bpd.

Priyono said the low production was partly due to the bad weather which affected production activities at the Duri field which contributed more than a half of Chevron?s oil production. He said that the gas pipe leakage which took place last month still also affected the production at the field as the gas supply was still not enough to support the company?s enhanced oil recovery program.

?The production is still below the target as the bad weather still affects offshore operations. In addition, Chevron?s production has not yet fully recovered,? he said.

A leakage in the pipeline which transmits gas to Chevron recently had caused a sharp drop in the company?s production. ?The production has reached 360,000 bpd but it is still lower than the normal production level of 370,000 bpd,? he added. (*)