JOB Jambi Merang starts sending gas to PLN

The joint operating body of PT Pertamina Energi and Talisman in Jambi Merang block (JOB Jambi Merang) has begun sending gas with a volume of 65 billion british thermal unit per day (BBTUD) beginning December 1, 2011 to power plants of the state electricity company PT PLN.

Gde Pradnyana, Spokesperson of the upstream oil and gas regulator BPMIGAS said that 55 BBTUD of the gas volume is allocated for Muara Tawar power plant in north Jakarta, and the remaining is allocated for Payu Selincah power plant in Jambi.

?The actual gas delivery will be done based on swap agreement between JOB Jambi Merang and ConocoPhillips,? Gde Pradnyana said. Under the swap deal, ConocoPhilips sends gas to the PLN?s power plant from its Grissik gas field, while gas from Jambi Merang, which was supposed to be allocated for PLN?s Muara Tawar power plant, is sent to Chevron Pacific Indonesia in Riau.

The swap mechanism was arranged due to the unavailability of gas pipeline from Jambi Merang to Muara Tawar power plant. (godang)