PGN And Gagas Distribute Gas To CNG Customers In Balikpapan

JAKARTA - PT PGN Tbk together with its subsidiary PT Gagas Energi Indonesia (Gagas) for the first time served CNG customers in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan.

Previously, PGN through Gagas had distributed Gaslink to new areas, namely Denpasar and Palembang in 2023, this year the process of distributing natural gas in Balikpapan has been carried out. PGN and Gagas have started distributing natural gas to PT Bumi Liputan Jaya (Blue Sky Hotel) with a distribution volume of 700 MMBTU per month.

PGN Commercial Director Ratih Esti Prihatini said natural gas distribution in Balikpapan was also one of PGN's efforts to support the development of the State Capital (IKN).

"PGN has received an assignment from the government to provide infrastructure networks in IKN, especially in residential areas or official houses for ministers to employees at IKN," he said, Thursday, July 11.

In the early stages, jargas connections at IKN were provided for 166 towers (ASN residences) and 34 ministerial landed houses. Natural gas is supplied with CNG sourced from Balikpapan or Bontang in East Kalimantan.

He explained that the development of the use of natural gas PGN Group in Kalimantan is dominated by the beyond pipeline mode. There is also natural gas services for households managed by corporate affiliates.

"But in terms of the same benefits, PGN Group wants to provide an experience of using energy that is efficient, practical, safe, available 24 hours and environmentally friendly for customers," he continued.

The Chief Engineering Blue Sky Hotel, Rachmat, said, the Blue Sky Hotel will utilize natural gas for kitchen and laundry needs. According to Rachmad, the use of natural gas is expected to provide a significant efficiency for them.

"The use of natural gas is expected to facilitate hotel operations and provide efficiency for fuel of up to 25 percent," he said.

Plt. President Director of Gagas, Enro Situmorang said that his party will start distributing natural gas on the island of Kalimantan through the city of Balikpapan with projected distribution of natural gas for the industrial and commercial sectors up to 1,500 MMBTU per month by the end of 2024.

"Furthermore, we hope that other cities in Kalimantan will feel the same way," he explained.

Currently, natural gas distribution in Balikpapan will be supported through natural gas distribution from the Gas Fuel Filling Station (SPBG) in Balikpapan.

Natural gas compressed or known as CNG, will then be distributed to the customer's location using Gas Transport Module (GTM).

In addition to CNG, PGN will also prepare the use of natural gas using natural gas that is disbursed or known as Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) for the City of Balikpapan and its surroundings.

Utilization of natural gas through the LNG method will be intended especially for industrial customers who need greater use of natural gas