Pertamina to start to apply EOR technology to boost oil production

State oil and gas firm PT Pertamina is set to start applying an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology in nine fields to boost the production this year following the approval from the upstream oil and gas regulatory body (BPMIGAS).

 

The nine fields are Rantau in Aceh, Kenali Asam in Jambi, Talang Jimar, Limau Q-51 in South Sumatra, Kawengan, Nglobo in Central Java, Bunyu, Sangatta and Tanjung in East Kalimantan.

 

Pertamina’s upstream director Sukusen Soemarinda said in Jakarta Saturday the application of EOR technology is needed given that 80 percent of the fields are already mature and still productive, with remaining oil reaching around five billion barrels.

 

“Based on a preliminary study, Pertamina needs the application of the EOR technology, such as water flooding and chemical flooding,” he said.

 

The application or the adoption of EOR method in an oil field can be started because the previous study on choosing the right EOR method, including economic feasibility, has been completed, he said.

 

The result of a preliminary research on Pertamina working area shows that as many as 33 structures are proposed to be subject to the EOR used for the period of 2007 until 2014. The application of the method is expected to increase the production by around 25,000 barrels of oil per day in 2014, he said.

 

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s oil and gas research division has also applied the EOR technology and managed to gain between 60 percent and 70 percent oil left.

 

Pertamina targets its oil output to rise to 117,536 barrels per day this year, from 101,259 barrels per day last year.

 

In May, China Petrotech Holdings Limited has signed a joint study agreement (JSA) with PT. Pertamina EP to explore the use of various Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technologies to optimise production at Pertamina’s existing matured oil fields at Tapian Timur and Dahor Blocks, both are located in South Kalimantan. (Bernard)