JAKARTA - The Special Task Force for Implementing Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (Oil and Gas Task Force) and ExxonMobil through Mobil Cepu Ltd plan to increase oil production in the Cepu Block to raise oil and gas lifting.
In the 2019 State Budget, oil lifting target is set at 775.000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and production in the Cepu Block has so far reached 219,000 bopd. The number exceeds the Cepu Block lifting target of 216,000 bopd as set in the Budget.
In a hearing at the House of Representatives, Deputy Head of the Oil and Gas Task Force Sukandar said that the increase of the Cepu Block’s production capacity can reach 225,000 bopd. “That’s the maximum capacity, and we will launch several tests,” said Mr Sukandar as quoted by Kontan.co.id, Thursday (16/5).
Meanwhile, ExxonMobil Indonesia VP for Public and Government Affair Erwin Maryoto said that this week the company will start launching a high rate test (HRT) for production above 220,000 bopd. In the test, he added, additional equipment is not needed and the duration of the test depends on the needs and how long optimal test results can be obtained.
Head of Programme and Communication at the Oil and Gas Task Force Wisnu Prabawa Taher explained that the Task Force targets the HRT process to be completed in the next six months. “Revision of environmental impact analysis can only be recommended after the HRT is completed,” he said. (MS)