Speaking out: Pertamina boss Karen Agustiawan
Pertamina has a dig over Cepu gas
Indonesia's state-run producer Pertamina, which is pushing for operatorship of the Cepu Block, today claimed it could bring the block's gas resources on stream quickly, in what is seen as veiled criticism of current operator ExxonMobil.
Cepu, in Central Java, ranks among ExxonMobil's top 10 projects worldwide. It is being jointly developed by ExxonMobil and Pertamina, and began initial production with a volume of around 800 barrels per day of crude oil in December 2008.
"Pertamina proposes becoming an operator in gas development in Cepu Block. Pertamina wants the development to be carried out quickly," Reuters quoted Karen Agustiawan, Pertamina's president director, telling a parliamentary hearing.
Agustiawan criticised ExxonMobil's unit in managing Cepu oil peak production development, saying it was well behind schedule.
"The timing for Cepu oil peak production now is 2014. It said previously the peak output would be in 2008," she said.
Another Pertamina official said Cepu has about 2 trillion to 3 trillion cubic feet of proven and potential natural gas reserves.
"If Pertamina operates the gas fields in Cepu, the fields can produce gas within three to four years," the official, who declined to be quoted by name, said.
"The gas can be supplied to Indonesia's state electricity firm as it is seeking more gas for its power plants," he said.
ExxonMobil Indonesia could not immediately be reached for comment by Reuters.