Pipeline leak cuts gas supply from Natuna to Singapore

A leak in one segment of Natuna-Singapore pipeline had caused a sharp drop in pressure, forcing Natuna gas producers to stop gas delivery to Singapore, an official said Saturday.

?The leak was detected Friday afternoon in undersea section, 104 kilometers northwest of Matak Island, causing ConocoPhillips, Star Energy and Premier Oil to stop gas delivery to Singapore.

Singapore, however, will still get the gas that was left on the pipeline," said Trijana Kartoatmodjo, deputy chairman of BP Migas, which oversees Indonesian upstream activities.

He did not disclose delivery volume after the West Natuna gas producers stopped sending gas or until when residual gas that was left in the pipeline could last.

Trijana said a team had been dispatched to fix the leakage. ?We hope repair can be completed on Monday, or Wednesday at the latest.?

Natuna offshore gas producers is under long-term contract to supply some 350 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas through 654-km pipeline to Singapore?s Sembawang Corp. Natural gas is sourced from ConocoPhillips? Natuna Offshore Block B, Premier Oil-operated Natuna Block A and Star Energy-operated Kakap block. Sembawang Corp. uses the gas as feedstock for petrochemical plants and fuel for power plant.

Trijana said BP Migas had notified Sembawang about the matter. (alex/arry/godang)