PGN to add gas supply to reduce impact of BP shutdown

State-owned gas distribution company PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) plans to raise gas supplies from Sumatra to its customers in Java to cope with the decline in supplies as a result of the stoppage of supplies from West Java owned by BP West Java Ltd.

Corporate secretary Heri Yusuf said in Jakarta on Thursday that PGN would receive additional gas supplies from the gas fields owned by Pertamina and ConocoPhillips in Sumatra which will be delivered to Java through the South Sumatra-West Java (SSWJ) pipeline.

West Java is now experiencing a lack of gas supplies following a move by BP West Java to temporarily shut down its operation of its gas field offshore West Java. The field normally supplies 65 MMCFD to PGN. It also supplies to state owned electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara.

BP West Java has planned to shut down its field for 14 days from July 11 through July 25 as part of the company?s regular maintenance program.

Heri said that PGN hoped that the additional supply to be distributed through the SSWJ pipeline would be able to cope the company?s customers need. (godang)