Pertamina could increase gas potentials by 100 tcf from shale gas

State oil and gas company PT Pertamina continues to accelerate the exploration of unconventional energy, shale gas potentials, apart from coal bed methane (CBM). Shale gas potential is believed to be four times than conventional gas resources.

?We know shale gas is new source of energy to Pertamina. In the United States and Canada, shale gas can also become prime energy resources. In the US, 20 percent of its energy needs have been met by shale gas and CBM,? said Director for Upstream of Pertamina, Muhamad Husen.

Citing data from Directorate General for Oil and Gas, shale gas potentials in Indonesia could reach 1,000 trillion cubic feet, far higher than estimated gas reserves of about 179 tcf.

Even if Pertamina develops only 10 percent of the 1,000 tcf shale gas potentials, it is still huge, he said. "By developing the shale gas potentials, Pertamina has a good chance to raise its gas reserves by 100 tcf," he said.

Proven reserves (P1) of oil and gas of Pertamina at present stands at 2.12 billion barrels of oil equivalent and it expects to increase it to 2.27 billion boe in 2014.

He said it takes time to develop shale gas potentials. ?Pertamina is still in early stage of developing shale gas. We?re still in exploration stage. It may take 10 years for Pertamina to produce its first shale gas,? he said.(godang/bernard/giok)