PHE WMO suspends crude production: SKK Migas

In a press statement to clarify an earlier report first published by this portal, the upstream oil and gas authority SKK Migas said that Pertamina Hulu Energi West Madura Offshore (PHE WMO) has suspended crude production after its Aberkha floating storage offloading (FSO) vessel was hit by high waves late on January 20 amid bad weather condition, causing a leak at the hose.

?In line with the procedure, SKK Migas and PHE WMO immediately decided to suspend crude production from the field to avoid oil spill,? SKK Migas Public Relations Head, Elan Biantoro said in the statement.

Elan said that considering wind velocity currently stands at about 27-35 knots, and high waves of 3-6 meters, divers were still unable to get close to the location to fix the leak. According to weather forecast, the high waves will occur again on January 25. ?If the weather improves, repair work requires about 6-12 hours,? Elan said.

PHE WMO?s crude production stands at 22,200 bpd, and gas at 120 million cubic feet per day. Under the current condition, crude production has stopped, while gas production drops to 40 million cubic feet per day, he added.

Elsewhere in the statement, General Manager JOB Pertamina Petrochina East Java (PPEJ), Eddy Frits Dominggus said that the company has suspended distribution of crude from the Mudi field in East Java to the Cinta Natomas FSO after the hose was cut off on January 21 by high waves in the Java Sea. .

He estimated that the repair work could take about five days, depending on the weather condition. It would take longer if the current bad weather condition persists.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak