Inauguration of Cepu project postponed to October

By Febry Silaban

The inauguration of the additional production of the Banyu Urip field in Cepu block in Central and East Java has been postponed to early October from the initial schedule of Sept. 11, acting Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Chairul Tanjung said on Thursday.

"We are still looking for the right time for the inauguration, maybe in the first or second week of October," said Chairul, who is also Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said.

Last month, former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik told the media he will inaugurate the additional production of the Cepu block, noting that it would be the last energy project to be inaugurated by him before ending his service as minister. Last week, however, Jero tendered resignation after being named a suspect in extortion case by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)

The ministry earlier said the Banyu Urip field which now produces 30,000 bpd of oil will get additional production of 10,000 bpd starting the end of August or early September thanks to the completion of the expansion of the so-called Early Production Facilities. The field will come to full production at the rate of 165,000 bpd next year.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon