PEP reactivates idle rig in Rantau field

By Febry Silaban

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) has a reactivated an idle rig in the Rantau field in Aceh Tamiang regency, Aceh province as part of efficiency program amidst oil market slump.

Agus Amperianto, Rantau Field Manager, said in a statement on Thursday that that as a result of the reactivation of Rig FC III, operation costs of the field can be cut by 30-40 percent.

Previously, PEP used three leased rigs ? two from PT Pertamina Drilling Service Indonesia (PDSI) and one from PT Ekspan Petrogas Internusa (EPI) ? at the field. ?Now with Rig FC III having come back into operation, we only operate two leased rig, each from PDSI and EPI,? Agus said.

Rig FC III which was made in 1979 and has been left idle for one year belongs to PEP. The rig will be used for reparation activities at 70-80 wells in the field.

Rantau field, an old field, has a target to produce 3,165 bopd this year, while real output now stands at 3,084 bopd or 97.4 percent of the target. Last year, the field produced 2,972 bopd, 99.02 percent of the target of 3,001 bopd.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon