PGN starts gas delivery test on South Sumatra-West Java pipeline

State-owned gas transmission and distribution PT PGN Tbk is carrying out gas delivery tests on its South Sumatra-West Java Phase II pipeline (SSWJ Phase II) after completing the construction of the pipeline.

?First test batch of gas is set at 20 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) and the volume will be ramped up to 50 MMSCFD and finally to its initial commitment of 120 MMSCFD,? PGN president director Soetikno told Petromindo.Com on Wednesday.

Soetikno said the test is expected to be completed by the end of this year. He, however, did not disclose when the pipeline will be ready for commercial operation.

The SSWJ Phase II is aimed to deliver natural gas from ConocoPhillips? Corridor Block in South Sumatra to northern part of West Java?s industrial consumers. However, the pipeline will also serve as transporter for gas supply from Pertamina?s Pagardewa field until the completion of the Phase I project in March 2007.

The initial capacity of the SSWJ Phase II pipeline is approximately 400 MMSCFD.(godang)