Ulubelu geothermal project gets additional 10 MW

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), a subsidiary of state oil and gas PT Pertamina, reported that it had completed the production test of Ulu?belu Unit 3 & 4 (UBL-34) wells, which has steam production at operational wellhead pressure of 10.7 bar and steam consumption of 7.3 tons per megawatt (MW) or at an equivalent of 10 MW power.

PGE stated in its press release over the weekend that with the additional power generation capacity, the Ulubelu geothermal project in Lampung will have a total power generation capacity of 190 MW. From the Ulubelu Unit 1&2 (2X55 MW), PGE sells steam to the state utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), and from Ulubelu Unit 3&4 (2X55), PGE will sell electricity to PLN.

The drillings of UBL-34 wells were completed on 20th February 2014 with a depth of 2,455 meters. After heating-up period and development of test facility, production test was conducted from 8th to 21st April 2014 with an encouraging result. With the finalization of the UBL Unit 3&4, PGE will only need additional steam at an equivalent of 40 MW power from its planned drillings of 4 production wells.

?Our success in the UBL-34 wells has made us optimistic. Especially, it is because the UBL-34 is located on a new cluster outside of the proven area. It has increased our proven reserve and also will increase the possibility of success in next wells of the cluster,? PGE reserve analyst Dhanie Mastiga said.

The process of tender for development of steam gathering system and geothermal power plant (PLTP) had been conducted in 2013 by applying the tender standard of the World Bank, as the project is funded with G to G soft loan from the World Bank.

?Currently, the tender process has been at the final stage of contract discussions between PGE and best contenders. Later this month, a ground breaking can be implemented, and it will start commercial operation in the middle of 2016,? said Novi Purwono, engineering manager of the Ulubelu project.

Editing by Benget Besalicto ST