Oil production as of September below target: BPMIGAS

Upstream oil, gas regulator BPMIGAS said on Monday that realization of average national crude oil output as of Sept 30 stood at 956,509 barrels per day (bpd), lower than the state budget target of 965,000 bpd.

BPMIGAS chairman R. Priyono told reporters in Jakarta that the suspension of some oil wells was blamed for the below-target output.

"Planned and unplanned shut-downs at PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI), Pertamina-Bumi Siak Pusako joint operation, PT Sarana Pembangunan Riau and PT Pertamina Hulu Energy (PHE), Kangean Energi Indonesia (KEI) and Sele Raya, which caused BPMIGAS to lose 194,500 bpd," Priyono said.

He said leakage in the pipeline operated by PT Transportasi Gas Indonesia had caused CPI to shut down 2,420 wells and 266 steam boilers and cut production by 152,000 bpd. Meanwhile, Pertamina-Bumi Siak Pusako joint operation had lost potential output of 14,000 bpd and PT Sarana Pembangunan Riau 530 bpd.

Production of ONJW block belonging to PHE has dropped to 25,000 bpd of oil and 50 MMSCFD of gas due to ongoing routine maintenance which will last until Oct. 5.

Meanwhile, KEI lost a potential output of 2,000 bpd as a fire accident that hit crude tanker "Gagasan Perak" late August made it unable to operate at fully capacity.

National average gas output as of Sept 30 reached 8,910 MMSCFD, higher compared to the government?s target of 7,758 MMSCFD, he added. (bernard)