Pertamina to increase 2010 crude, gas output

State-owned oil, gas firm PT Pertamina plans to boost crude oil output to 193,900 barrels per day next year from 174,800 barrels a day expected this year, CEO Karen Agustiawan said Thursday.

Karen said in a hearing with a parliament committee that this year, crude output is expected to be higher than its original forecast of 172,000 barrels a day.

Meanwhile, Pertamina's gas output is predicted to rise to 1,370 mmscfd next year from 1,314 mmscfd expected this year.

The 2009 gas output is also higher 8 percent than expected, she added. (bernard)