TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Special Unit for Upstream Oil and Natural Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) chief Amien Sunaryadi said that his office will be working on 14 oil and gas projects to step up national production.

The projects include HCML Madura BD, PCML Kepodang-Phase II, PHE WMO PHE 12, PHE WMO PHE 24, E Sengkang-Kampung Baru COMP, Eni Muara Bakau, Petrochina Jabung-Westbetara/Southbetara, JOB Pertamina-Medco Simenggaris, PEP Meatindok, PEP Paku Gajah, PEP CTDP, PEP SKG Musi Timur and PEP-L Parigi.

"The projects are expected to increase gas production," Amien Sunaryadi said yesterday at a joint meeting with the House Energy Commission in Jakarta.

SKK Migas, Regulatory Agency for Downstream Oil and Gas (BPH Migas) and state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina yesterday held a hearing with the Energy Commission. The SKK Migas presented its projection of oil and gas production until 2025. Data from the SKK, oil production is expected to drop, whereas gas will fluctuate relatively.

"The lifting overview explains that in the projection for 2017 until 2028, oil output will decline and gas will fluctuate relatively," he said.

Despite the decline, according to Amien, oil output can be maintained through oil discoveries in nine ongoing projects, namely Tropik Energi Pandan-Ario Damar, Odira Karang Agung-Ridho Field, PHE WMO PHE 12, HCML BD, PEP-Pipeline Gas Lift BW, ENI Muara Bakau, Petrochina Sabung-WB SB and EMCL.

"Naturally, it will decline. But the production from the projects is expected to complete soon. However, despite the projects, it cannot be predicted yet," he said.

The Energy Commission Gus Irawan Pasaribu said that the commission has acknowledged the SKK Migas explanation on the development of upstream oil and gas.

"The Commission VII acknowledges the SKK Migas efforts relating to the development of upstream oil and gas in relation to production and lifting and the effort to cut time between exploration and development," Gus Irawan said in his concluding remark.

DESTRIANITA