Pertagas Distributes Natural Gas To Industrial Estates In Central Java

JAKARTA - PT Pertamina Gas, part of the PT Pertamina Gas Subholding (Persero), flows natural gas from the Cirebon-Semarang (Cisem) phase I pipeline to the Batang Integrated Industrial Zone, after previously going to the Kendal Special Economic Zone, Central Java.

Along with that, Pertagas is committed to continuing to carry out existing operating standards to maintain the reliability of gas distribution through the Cisem Phase I pipeline.

"Pertamina Gas, as the operator in the operation of the Cisem gas pipeline phase I, has implemented existing operating standards to continue to maintain the reliability of gas distribution to end users," said Pertagas Technical and Operations Director Indra P Sembiring in a statement in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Wednesday 7 August.

Pertamina Gas began flowing gas on Friday (26/7/2024) from the Onshore Receiving Facility (ORF) Tambak Rejo, Semarang, via the Cisem I pipeline to the Batang Integrated Industrial Zone (KITB), Central Java.

The Cisem Phase I pipeline is a 20-inch transmission pipeline that stretches from Semarang to Batang for approximately 60 km. The Cisem pipeline was built by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources through the Directorate General of Oil and Gas and operated by Pertamina Gas.

The natural gas flowing in the Cisem Phase I pipe comes from the Jambaran Tiung Biru Gas Field, which is then managed by pressure and distribution by Pertagas as an operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Tambak Rejo ORF, then distributed to consumers, such as industrial areas in Central Java.

Indra said Pertagas will continue to support and take a role in the integration of the Sumatra-Java transmission pipeline. Because if these pipes can be connected, natural gas distribution will be able to be connected from the East Java region to West Java.

"Thus, the surplus of natural gas supply in East Java can meet the deficit in gas needs in West Java," he said.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif said that by utilizing the Cisem gas pipeline infrastructure, the benefit that the industry will get is that gas prices are more affordable.

"In addition, it will meet domestic gas needs for industry, power plants, commercial and households," said Arifin during a working visit to ORF Tambak Rejo Semarang.

On this occasion, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources also ensured the operational readiness of Pertagas in distributing gas to industrial areas in Central Java by reviewing ORF facilities, as well as conducting discussions.

Separately, energy economy observer from Padjajaran University Yayan Satyakti said that if you look specifically at Cisem I with a pipeline length of about 60 km, ideally it will support strategic industrial areas in the North Coast of Java (Pantura) area.

The function of the Cisem I gas network, he said, is investment potential and must be balanced with a master plan for industrial development to increase demand from industries that do require gas, such as the development of the petrochemical industry.

"So I see that this infrastructure is the first step from the government to build an energy network, especially gas in the future. As a basic capital for the development of more efficient industrial estates, such as the petrochemical industry," said Yayan.