Earth Gas Commercialization Value Observers Still Need To Be Optimized

JAKARTA - Energy observer Komaidi Notonegoro assesses that efforts to commercialize natural gas still need to be optimized, especially for stakeholders.

He argues that the three relevant ministries, namely the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Finance, still have different views regarding natural gas prices.

"This is certainly homework, because as long as there is no understanding it will affect natural gas commercialization in Indonesia, even though natural gas needs are expected to continue to grow in the next 10 years," said Komaidi as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, June 21.

The policy of certain natural gas prices (HGBT) is believed to be one of the keys so that natural gas commercialization can be more optimal.

The reason is, HGBT can determine the economic value of a project.

Therefore, understanding is needed between the relevant Ministries, gas producers and users of natural gas.

He agrees that the government's goal of providing cheap gas prices for the industry has a good purpose. However, the government also needs to pay attention to the sustainability of other industries.

"Even though the economic value of natural gas projects is also important, because this is the determinant of natural gas supply for industry," he said.

He gave an example of Thailand as one of the countries that has succeeded in maintaining the economic value of natural gas. The country is able to provide policies that can provide economic value to all parties, both producers and gas consumers.

"The Thai government guarantees a decent margin for all elements, starting from incentives for natural gas producers, to buyers, there is supply guarantee," he added.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator for the Preparation of the Oil and Gas Program for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Rizal Fajar Muttaqin, said that President Joko Widodo will decide the continuation of the HGBT policy in the industrial sector.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is still conducting an evaluation until next August to be reported to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and continued to the President.