Bahlil Asks ENI To Accelerate Production To Pursue Production Targets

KUTAI KARTANEGARA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia asked the oil and gas company from Italy, ENI, to accelerate the development of oil and gas projects in order to meet the oil and gas lifting targets.

"One example is ENI. If it becomes 2029, the project plan is completed, but we ask to be moved forward to 2028, it will produce approximately 1,500 mm of gas and 90 thousand barrels of concentrate," said Bahlil, quoted on Friday, May 2.

Bahlil said that currently, ENI is preparing two National Strategic Projects, namely the Indonesia Deepwater Development (IDD) with a reserve of 2.67 TCF gas and 66 million barrels of oil, and the North Gang with a reserve of 5.3 TCF gas. The investment is also significant at 3.7 billion US dollars for the Southern Hub (IDD) and 11.4 billion US dollars for the Northern Hub.

In addition to accelerating new projects, optimizing old wells (idle wells) is also a concern.

Not only to ENI, but Bahlil also made a visit to Pertamina Hulu Mahakam. During the visit, Bahlil saw firsthand the production operation and even the process of increasing the lifting of long-producing wells.

"We went to Pertamina Hulu Mahakam and we checked even though these are old wells, but they are still able to maintain lifting (gas) and can boost from the initial assumption that decreased by approximately 200-300 mmscfd, now it has increased to 400 to 500 mmscfd," he added.

To support production acceleration, Bahlil said that simplifying licensing is also one of the important focuses of the Government in supporting increased oil and gas production.

Bahlil assessed that simple and uncomplicated regulations would make it easier for Cooperation Contract Contract Contractors (KKKS) to carry out their operational activities in the field.

Bahlil explained that so far the contractors have often complained about the complexity of the licensing process which actually hampers performance and slows down the production process. For this reason, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources cooperates and asks the Regional Government, including the Governor, to be able to support the acceleration of the licensing process at the local level.