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.