Pertamina demands logical explanation over new vibro seismic technology

The state oil and gas company Pertamina demands the Russians to provide a "logical" explanation over its new vibro seismic technology claimed to be able to enhance crude and gas production level from old oil wells.

Head of Pertamina exploration division Trijana said that the company would not hastily adopt the Russian-made technology fearing the possible costly side effect to the oil wells.

"It's true that in Russia, the technology can increase production of the oil wells by 43 percent of the baseline, and even up to 70 percent ... But in terms of economic and technology, they have to explain to us how that can happen. They can't just explain that it (the technology) can increase production without a logical argumentation," he told press on the sidelines of a seminar on the vibro seismic technology on Wednesday.

He added that although the technology has been empirically proven in the Caltex Pager oil field, the success could not be made a benchmark.

Trijana said that it was still a long way before Pertamina could be able to recommend the technology as effective without worrying side effects.

Pertamina and PT Wahana Petranusa have signed a joint study agreement to develop the technology in Indonesia. Pertamina had given three old oil wells for the pilot project. The three oil wells are those in Ampel (West Java), in Jambi, and in Prabumulih in South Sumatra.

Wahana is the sole proprietor of the vibro seismic technology in Indonesia. (*)