Southeast Mahakam prepares for first production

By Sonar Sihombing

PT Total E&P Indonesie (TEPI) expects initial production from its Southeast Mahakam block in East Kalimantan to commence in November, faster than initial target of early 2013, a company official said.

?We are now in the preparation for start-up. Two wells are being prepared. God Willing, first production will flow in November, which is faster than the original target,? TEPI Executive Vice President Hardy Pramono told petromindo.com in Banjarmasin during Asia Total Education Center (ATEC) on October 13.

From the two wells, production is estimated at 250 mmscfd of gas and 90 bopd.

Gas from the block will be flowed to the Senipah production base through a 67-kilometer subsea pipeline. From the base, the gas will then be channeled to the Bontang liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant located 150 kilometers from the Senipah base.

Total has a 50 percent participating interest in the block, while Japan-based Inpex owns the balance.

Editing by Dadan Wijaksana