Indonesian crude production reaches 35-year bottom

Indonesia's crude oil output fell to 887,000 barrels per day (bpd) in July a 35-year low and down from 900,000 bpd in June, hit by production problems in several oil fields and maintenance, an industry source said as quoted by agency.

"Indonesia could not avoid another fall in output in July because of some problems in several oil reservoirs and some also needed maintenance," the source said.

Indonesia's condensate output was slightly higher at 131,000 bpd in July, compared with 130,000 bpd in June.

Indonesia was a net importer of crude oil in June and May this year after production from Asia-Pacific's only Opec member continued to fall, an energy ministry official had said.

The industry source said Indonesian oil production is expected to increase in August, when problems at the production facilities in several oil fields are resolved.

Indonesia has struggled to maintain production as the country has failed to tap new oilfields fast enough.(*)