EWC mulls mini-LNG plant in S. Sulawesi gas block

Upstream oil and gas authority BPMIGAS said on Thursday that Australian firm Energy World Corporation (EWC), the operator of Sengkang gas block in South Sulawesi planned to build mini-LNG plant to tap gas reserves in the block.

?The block operator is planning to build mini-LNG plant in Wallanga field, which has some 100 BCF of uncommitted gas. The LNG would then be transported with vessel which can carry 1000 tones of LNG to Antam?s mine in Pomalaa,? said BPMIGAS deputy chairman in charge of operations Dodi Hidayat. He said the field would have the capacity to flow 22 MMCFD of gas to the mine-LNG plant.

He said the plan was still under study.

Separately Antam?s corporate secretary Ashur Wasif when contacted by Petromindo. Com confirmed that the company was interested to buy gas either from Sengkang or from Pertamina-operated Donggi block in Central Sulawesi. ?Antam needs gas to replace 6x17 MW fuel-fired power plant that are currently operating in Pomalaa,? he said. The state nickel miner operates three ferro-nickel smelters in Pomalaa, South East Sulawesi.

He said preliminary talks over the possibility to use gas had been commenced.

According to EWC?s report dated September 2005, Sengkang block has remaining proven and probable gas reserves of 425 BCF. Of these reserves, 152 BCF is committed to power station, leaving the excess capacity for the anticipated expansion of the power plant and for future sales in South Sulawesi, said the company. (godang)