ONWJ output still below target

By Godang Sitompul

The Offshore North West Java (ONWJ) block offshore West Java produces an average of 32,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from January until recently, still lower than the annual target of 35,000 bpd, according to PHE ONWJ, the operator of the block.

Besides, the block produces an average of 162 mmscfd of gas since January this year, lower than the annual target of 192 mmscfd.

?We think the target is still achievable,? Jonli Sinulingga, General Manager of PHE ONWJ, told Petromindo.com on Thursday.

The block is 53 percent owned by PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), an upstream subsidiary of state owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina.

Jonli said the firm targeted to drill 20 new wells this year. Thus far, it has drilled 11 wells and plans to drill the other nine wells throughout the rest of the year.

The firm has set US$806 million in investment budget for the block for this year. Thus far, it has spent about 35 percent of the budget, he said.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon