PLN EPI Completes Crucial Hot Tap on WNTS Pemping Gas Pipeline

Batam (ANTARA) - PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI) has successfully completed the hot tap work on the West Natuna Transportation System (WNTS) Pemping pipeline project, which will channel natural gas from Natuna to meet domestic needs in Batam, Riau Islands.

PLN EPI President Director Rakhmad Dewanto stated that the completion of the hot tap is a significant achievement, demonstrating the project’s readiness to enter its final phase before gas begins to flow. “Praise be to God Almighty, the hot tap process, which is the most important milestone of the WNTS-Pemping project, has been carried out smoothly. This success shows that PLN EPI is capable of executing the mandate from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to build and operate the WNTS-Pemping pipeline in order to ensure a reliable, efficient, and sustainable gas supply, particularly for the electricity systems in Sumatra and Batam,” he said in an official statement received in Batam on Thursday.

The hot tap process is a technique for connecting a new pipe to a main operating pipeline without stopping the gas flow, which in this case had a flow rate of approximately 300 million cubic feet per day and a pressure of 1,096 psi at a sea depth of 29 metres, all without causing any leaks.

Rakhmad further explained that Natuna’s natural gas, which was previously only utilised for export markets, will now be channelled to meet domestic energy needs, specifically supporting the electricity systems in Sumatra and Batam. “This achievement also reflects the project’s technical readiness and the strong synergy among stakeholders in realising strategic national energy infrastructure,” he said.

Head of SKK Migas Djoko Siswanto said that the gas commissioning process, which involves initial testing and verification of the pipeline system, will begin next week. “The SKK Migas team is currently preparing the gas for commissioning, so that for the first time, gas from Natuna can flow to the Republic of Indonesia, something that has been awaited for many years,” he stated.

The arrival of Natuna gas will strengthen the primary energy supply for PLN’s power plants in Sumatra and Batam, particularly the Tanjung Uncang Gas and Steam Power Plant (PLTGU) with a capacity of 135.29 MegaWatts (MW) and the Tanjung Uncang IPP PLTGU owned by PT Energi Listrik Batam (ELB) with a capacity of 109.4 MW.

PLN EPI has also signed a Gas Sales Agreement with West Natuna Exploration Limited (WNEL) for gas supplies of up to 111 million cubic feet per day for the period 2027-2037. In addition to enhancing the reliability of the electricity system, the use of natural gas will also reduce the risk associated with fuel oil usage, while supporting electricity reliability and contributing to emission reduction efforts.

“Beyond the supply from WNEL, PLN EPI hopes for additional gas supplies to further improve the reliability of primary energy for PLN and PLN Batam’s power plants. Besides being more efficient and domestically sourced, gas is also cleaner compared to fuel oil,” Rakhmad added.

According to him, the WNTS-Pemping pipeline will also strengthen Batam’s competitiveness as a national centre for industry, logistics, and investment by supporting the growth of industrial estates, manufacturing, and the digital economy in the city. “The WNTS-Pemping project has involved more than 700 workers, from the fabrication process to offshore, nearshore, and onshore work. With the completion of the hot tap stage, the project is now entering its final phase before Natuna gas officially flows to support national energy security and economic growth,” he concluded.