Total Shuts Down Five Mahakam Wells
14 November 2013 00:50 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Samarinda - PT Total E&P Indonesia had shut down five wells in Mahakam block's Tunu Field, near the Raissa TN-C414 rig that has been having troubles. Agus Suprijanto, Total's deputy executive vice president East Kalimantan manager, said the shutdown was to keep the gas leak in the TN-C414 well from spreading to other wells.
Even with five wells not activated, Agus said Mahakam's gas production target--set by the government--will be achieved. Total is targeted to produce 1,700 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMSCFD) this year.
The shutdown, he said, will also not hamper the block's plan to dig new wells. Every year, Total is expected to have 100 to 120 new wells in the Mahakam block.
A gas eruption happened on Friday, Nov. 8, at the Meara well in the Tunu field in Mahakam Delta. The well was being rigged when all of the sudden gas sprouted out from the shallow reservoir. Kristanto was unable to say what cause the eruption.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the blowouts still cannot be stopped, with gas bubbles still appearing near the leaking wells.
Mahakam block is the largest gas producer in Indonesia with an average production of 1.7 billion cubic feet per day. In addition to gas, this field produces 69,000 barrels of crude oil. The gas produced is turned into liquefied natural gas (LNG) and exported to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
FIRMAN HIDAYAT