Sukowati field production expected to rise

Joint operation body Pertamina-Petrochina East Java expects to increase its production from Sukowati field by between 7,500 and 10,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) by the end of 2011.

"The production increase in 2011 will be met from the phase 4 of plan of development of Sukowati field, through drilling of 5 wells there," General Manager of JOB PT Pertamina Hulu Energi-Petrochina East Java Bambang Kardono told Petromindo.com over the phone. Bambang added the first well would be drilled in April and the rest at the end of the year.

The drilling works on the five wells have been approved by the upstream oil and gas regulator (BPMIGAS).

Land acquisition has been the main problem facing PPEJ in its bid to raise production.

BPMIGAS public relations, formality and security affairs head Gde Pradyana said PPEJ had increased production but lack of pipelines had kept it from maximum hike.

"PPEJ has to share the pieline with Mobil Cepu Ltd," he said.

But Bambang denied Gde's statement. "There is no problem," he said. (godang)