Pertamina introduces new fuel product to reduce kerosene consumption

State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina introduced a new fuel product called Gasified Petroleum Condensate (GPC) in a bid to reduce domestic’s kerosene consumption in the future.

Pertamina said in a statement on Tuesday that GPC, which has a calorific value of 12,000 calorie/gram or higher than kerosene's of 9,900 calorie/gram, could be used for residential, restaurants, small scale industries to fuel the burner.

The company said GPC is originated from unstable condensates produced together with condensates at oil well. The unstable condensates part is usually removed before the condensates enter the refinery plant.

Pertamina also said earlier that its South Sumatra Upstream Operation would produce around 1,370 tons of GPC per month generated from approximately 300 barrels of condensates per day.

The prototype of GPC will be sold in 3-kg cans, Pertamina said without mentioning the price of the product. Currently, kerosene for household is sold at a subsidized price of Rp 700 per liter. (godang)