Pertamina mulling options to utilize gas

By Bernard Loebs

State owned oil and gas firm PT Petamina is mulling several options to optimize the utilization of gas from its working areas in East Kalimantan, including Simenggaris block, Ambalat block and Nunukan block.

Gunung Sardjono Hadi, SVP Development of Pertamina told Petromindo.Com the options include using the gas for power generation in the local areas, building a CNG plant to process the gas, turning the gas into LNG or using the gas to produce fertilizer.

Pertamina will hold a workshop to discuss the matter, he said.

Pertamina through its subsidiary PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) owns a 33.75 percent shares in Ambalat PSC with the rest belonging to Eni SP, who also acts as operator. The block is still in exploration stage.

Simeggaris PSC is operated by JOB Pertamina-Medco. It is also still exploration stage.

Nunukan PSC is operated by PHE with a 35 percent interest. IDX-lsited PT Medco Energi Internasional owns 40 percent interest, with the balance equally shared by Indian Firms Videocon Industries Limited and Bharat PetroResources Limited. POD for the block is being prepared.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon