Pertamina EP claims PLN Tarakan not ready to absorb Bunyu field gas

By Godang Sitompul

PT Pertamina EP for East Indonesia Region said Bunyu gas field in Sangata Block in East Kalimantan is now ready to supply gas to the gas-fired power plant (PLTG) Tarakan owned by state electricity company PT PLN. However, the company claimed PLN Tarakan is not ready to absorb the gas as one of its turbine is yet to fully operate.

?PLN Tarakan is not ready yet to utilize gas from Bunyu field as it?s turbine is yet to operate to its optimum level,? General Manager of PT Pertamina EP for East Indonesia Region, Satoto Agustono told Petromindo.com.

Satoto said Pertamina EP actually tried to deliver gas from Bunyu to Tarakan in early July. However PLN?s Tarakan gas power plant was not ready to utilize the gas.

PLN and Pertamina EP had signed the gas sales and purchase agreement a year ago.

Division Head for Fuel and Gas of PT PLN, M. Suryadi Mardjoeki said it is probably the rented turbine which is yet to fully operate. ?I will check the matter to (PLTG) Tarakan,? he told Petromindo.com.

Editing by Roffie Kurniawan