Firm! Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Asks Masela For Production January 1, 2023

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif emphasized that the Eternal Masela Field must start production on January 1, 2030.

Arifin firmly rejected Pertamina's statement by Pertamina Director Nicke Widyawati, who previously said that Inpex wanted to start producing in 2032.

"No! 2030 must be on stream!" said Arifin to the media, Monday, September 4.

If Arifin resigns from the target, Arifin ensures that his party will evaluate the Masela Block development plan or plan of development (POD).

"We will evaluate the POD. We will evaluate it! You have to commit. Referring to POD like this, we are optimistic," said Arifin.

He further explained that the target of January 1, 2030 is in line with the government's target of producing oil of 1 million badels and 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day by 2030.

"We are targeting 1 million in 2030. Now, if it takes longer, he doesn't get money," said Arifin.

He said the 2030 target was also a mundir from the previous target which should have been operational by 2027 but was postponed again due to Shell's departure from Blok Masela and the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Yes, okay, we will concentrate until January 2030 on January 1," concluded Arifin.

Previously in a Hearing Meeting with Commission VII DPR RI, Pertamina President Director Nicke Widyawati said that her partner Inpex targets the eternal field in Tanimbar Regency to start operating in 2032, while the government will target production in 2029.

"Finally, Inpex said it would start operations in 2032, but the government's aspirations must be accelerated to 2029. So we are currently having a consortium detailed so that it can start operating in 2029," concluded Nicke.