Natuna’s gas supply to Singapore not affected by latest accident: BP Migas

The oil and gas upstream regulator BP Migas said on Tuesday that there was no impact on gas supply to Singapore despite the temporary suspension of a rig in Natuna Sea following an accident, the Bisnis Indonesia newspaper reported in its Wednesday edition.

The rig is operated by Atwood Oceanic Inc. Atwood was hired by the U.S.- based ConocoPhillips, the operator of Block 'B' PSC.

BP Migas’s regional representative in Sumatra Area L. Harijanto said the troubled Belida wellhead platform-B, which produces 17,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, is under static preload condition.

However, the output from the Belida platform, whether it is oil or gas is not meant for sale.

“Therefore, the suspension of operations at a platform, operated by Atwood Beacon and produces 17,000 barrels equivalent of oil per day. Has no connection with the commitment to supply gas to Singapore,” Harijanto told the Bisnis, when the latter contacted him on Tuesday.

All crew members from the rig were evacuated safely.

Atwood told the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Monday it would remove the rig from the location and expects to tow it to a shipyard in Singapore for inspections and repairs. (*)