Petronas' Fields in Indonesia to Produce Oil in Late 2014  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Malaysian oil giant Petronas Carigali Ltd. expects to produce 2,000 to 3,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) of oil and gas from its fields in Indonesia. Petronas is preparing to manage two oil fields, Kepodang in Muria Block and Bukit Tua in Ketapang 2 Block in the last quarter of 2014.

Hazli Sham B. Kassim, general manager of Petronas, said the search for oil in two blocks had cost the company US$800 million. Hazli said the company is also interested in exploring a number of blocks that could potentially produce large amounts of oil.

Lambok Hutauruk, deputy of business support control unit at the Special Taskforce for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activity (SKK Migas), said that to manage the two blocks SKK Migas will prepare the necessary technical aspects and provide competent workforce. Citing how Indonesia's oil and gas sector is still short local labor he said the SKK Migas is "committed to increase the capability and capacity of Indonesian workers in the upstream oil and gas industry."

In the initial stage, SKK Migas is working with Petronas Carigali by placing workers as production operators in theSantosand Kangean Energy Indonesia. Twenty Petronas workers will undergo an internship program for six months for both contractors.

SKK Migas's work plan this year includes 2D surveys covering 9,020 kilometers of area, 3D seismic surveys on 11,633 kilometers of area, and 206 drilling explorations. SKK Migas will also drill 1,300 oil and gas wells and conduct upkeeping activities in 33,170 wells.

"All of the work plans are aimed at achieving this year's revenue target of US$30.6 billion," said Lambok.

ANANDA TERESIA | DIANANTA P. SUMEDI (SURABAYA) | DEWI RINA CAHYANI