11 Out Of 50 Regulated Oil And Gas Blocks Have Non-Conventional Oil And Gas Potential

Illustration of the oil and gas block (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - Director General of Oil and Gas (Dirjen Migas) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Tutuka Ariadji revealed that of the 50 Oil and Gas Working Areas (WK) returned to the state, 11 of them came from non-conventional oil and gas (MNK) blocks, usually known as Shale Gas and Coalbed Methane (CBM) which had long been developed.

"Of the 50 termination blocks, actually there are 11 unconventional or non-conventional oils that we know with oil gas shales or what is now more, actually Coal bed Methane (CBM) has been developed for a long time," said Tutuka, quoted Thursday, October 19.

Tutuka explained that the use of oil gas shale requires special technologies such as fracturing or fracturing, which is expensive and poses risks. However, this oil commodity has made the United States change from the largest oil importer to exporter.

Meanwhile, CBM or methane gas itself is an efficient and clean energy source spread across Indonesia and the prospect of developing it economically. The value of pure methane liquid is 35.9 MJ/m3, which is equivalent to the liquid value of the standard 1.2 kg coal, so the benefits of CBM energy sources are used not only reduce the risk of coal production, but also obtain clean energy and reduce environmental pollution.

Tutuka added that as many as 11 non-conventional oil and gas WKs returned to the country had actually been developed for a long time. However, he considered it less prospective to proceed to the operational stage.

"It has been developed for a long time, but it turns out that many are less prospective, so it is not continued," he added.

Tutuka explained, based on his experience, the calculation of each geologist will be different. The previous geological calculation did not exist conceptually in terms of system control, but on the other hand, he could say this was still prospective.

"It can be said that there is no such thing, but it can also be big. We still need to wait for additional data from the subservice team to conduct a study," he explained.

The hope is that after another data study is carried out by experts who have different perspectives, it will be auctioned again to be able to increase national oil and gas production in the future.

"This termination is expected to be carried out again with new personnel, experts who from a different perspective with additional data. Well, we really hope this can increase production in the future," concluded Tutuka.