RI seeks new technology to maintain oil output at 800,000 bpd

Petromindo|Dasir

The government plans to start applying new technology next year as part of short-term measures to help maintain the country?s oil production at around 800,000 bpd.

Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources IGN Wiratmja Puja said in a statement on Tuesday that full-scale implementation of the new technology is expected to be made in the following year.

?In 2018 we must start (applying new technology). In 2019, fully new technology must be implemented because production will start to decline,? he said.

According to Wiratmaja, the country?s oil production currently relies on the Cepu block in the border of Central and East Java, which is projected to decline from its peak in four-five years, as such there must be efforts to avoid Indonesia?s oil production from dropping drastically.

He said that the government is currently reviewing the available technologies including enhanced oil recovery and drilling that can be implemented in the country, where most oil fields are in aging condition.

Indonesia?s oil production this year is estimated at above 800,000 bpd. Last year, production was 831,000 bpd.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak