PGE to drill one well in Lahendong in September

By Godang Sitompul

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energi (PGE) has planned to conduct drilling of one well in Lahendong-5 geothermal field in North Sumatra in September this year.

PT PGE President Director Andriyansah said, however, that actually there are two wells that are ready for drilling in the geothermal field, but they could not yet secure a rig for that.

"So, that?s why we only plan to drill one well as only one rig is available even though there are two wells there ready to be drilled,? he told Petromindo.com in Jakarta on Friday.

He said that PGE is developing Lahendong 5 and 6, which will respectively have a generation capacity of 20 megawatts (MW). But he could not yet confirm when the two units will start commercial operation.

He pointed out that currently PGE is preparing a tender for the rig procurement.

"There are six companies that participate in the procurement tender. For EPC, we?re still waiting for the result of drilling. Perhaps, early next year the EPC process can be started,? he added.

So far, the already developed geothermal power plants (PLTP) Lahendong 1, 2, 3, and 4 have a total generation capacity of 80 MW. When the Lahendong 5 and 6 start operation, then the total generation capacity from Lahendong will be 120 MW.

"We really hope we can complete the development of Lahendong 5 and 6, so that we?ll have a total generation capacity of 120 MW," he added.

Editing by Benget Besalicto ST