BP West Java to increase gas output

BP West Java to increase gas output

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, West Java

BP West Java, an Indonesian unit of British American firm BP
Plc., said on Friday it would increase its gas production by more
than 50 million cubic feet per day (mmscfd) in September to meet
the growing gas demand in Jakarta and West Java.

BP Indonesia senior official Budi Susanto said the additional
gas would stem from BP West Java's four new platforms namely
ESRA, JJA, KKA, BZNA at the Offshore North West Java Sea (ONWJ)
block, West Java.

"At present, BP West Java produces 240 mmscfd of gas, but the
output has continued to deplete, thus creating a potential gas
shortage to our customers: Muara Karang power plant of state-
owned electricity company PLN and state-owned gas company PGN,"
he told reporters during a visit to one of BP West Java's
platforms.

He didn't say the rate of the output decline at BP West Java.

According to him, BP West Java has started the development of
the four new platforms in April this year and earmarked about
US$45.1 million to complete the project.

BP West Java divides its ONWJ block into four fields: Ardjuna,
Arimbi, North West Center and Bima.

It started operation in the ONWJ block from the Ardjuna field
in 1971.

To date, BP West Java has built 171 platforms and 40
processing facilities at the block, which can produce about
48,000 barrels oil per day (bopd) and 240 mmscfd of gas.

Since its first operation, BP West Java said it had invested
about $9.5 billion and generated revenue for the government of
about $15 billion.

Elsewhere, Budi also said BP West Java would also increase its
gas output from ONWJ block next year to keep its gas production
higher than gas demand.