Oil lifting exceeds 800,000 bpd: SKK Migas

By Godang Sitompul

The country?s oil production has started to stabilize this month following clash at the Banyu Urip field, in Cepu Block, Central Java, in August.

Deputy for Operation at the upstream oil and gas regulator SKK Migas, Muliawan told Petromindo.com that oil lifting in the early part of October has stabilized at more than 800,000 bpd, thanks among others to higher output at Bukit Tua field. He did not provide further details.

Meanwhile, Kontan quoted SKK Migas Head of Public Relations Elan Biantoro as saying that as of October 10, oil lifting reached around 802,000-810,000 bpd, about the same with the rate in the previous month, but still below the government?s 2015 target of 825,000 bpd.

Elan said that the Banyu Urip field has resumed normal production at around 89,000-85,000 bpd. The field has been targeted to increase production to around 205,000 bpd next month.

The clash in August had cut down production by 30,000-50,000 bpd, Kontan said.

Elan said that aside from higher output at Banyu Urip field, the Bukit Tua field in Ketapang block, operated by Petronas Carigali Ltd, has also started production recently, now stabilizing at 10,000 bpd, compared to 5,000 bpd in May. Peak production of the field is expected to be reach in 2016 at 20,000 bpd.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak