Platform trouble at PHE disrupts gas supply in N. Sumatra, Aceh
Saturday, December 9 2017 - 03:58 AM WIB
Petromindo|Khalsa
Upstream company PT Pertamina Hulu Energy (PHE) has shut down the operation of gas production engine since December 1 following trouble at its offshore platform in North Sumatra Province due to heavy storm, Kompas reported on Saturday.
As a result, gas supply for industries in Medan, the capital of the province, and in Lhokseumawe and Lhoksukon, both in neighboring Aceh Province, has been disrupted.
The paper said that gas supply for industries in the regions will be lower than normal at least until December 24, when the repair work is expected to be completed.
The paper quoted PT Perta Arun Gas (PAG) Manager for Production Planning and Process Engineering, Sukarni Manan as saying that the company has been able to only supply 4.5 mmscfd of gas to the industries in the Medan and Aceh areas, much lower than the contractual volume of 8 mmscfd.
Meanwhile, Saiful Hadi, Head of Sales for Medan area at IDX-listed gas distribution firm PT PGN Tbk said gas supply for the Medan area has dropped to around 6-6.5 mmscfd, compared to normal supply volume of 12.5-13 mmscfd.
Additional gas supply via LNG regasification process for industries in Aceh can be made, but the volume is limited, the paper said. (*)