Production period of Masela block estimated for 24 years only

By Febry Silaban

Gas reserve discovered in Abadi field within Masela block in Maluku province is only enough for 24 years of production.

This was said by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said recently.

"(At peak production), the field is projected to produce 1,200 mmscfd of gas and 24,000 bpd of condensate," Sudirman said, adding the field?s gas reserves (90% P1) reaches 10.73 tcf, based on the evaluation and certification by the ministry-owned research agency, Lemigas.

Sudirman made the statement, apparently to counter speculation that the block may have huge gas reserves, larger than the current estimate. This has become a reason for some people to press ahead with the option of building onshore LNG plant to process Abadi gas. They said aside from LNG, the gas can also be used to develop other industries, such as petrochemicals, in the region.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon