Pertagas Distributes Gas To Two Industrial Estates In Central Java Via Cisem Pipeline

Gas pipeline illustration (Photo: PGN)

JAKARTA PT Pertamina Gas officially flows gas from the Cirebon-Semarang (Cisem) phase I pipeline to the Batang Integrated Industrial Zone, Central Java.

"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 Indra P. Sembiring, Technical and Operations Director of Pertagas, Wednesday, August 7.

Indra said Pertamina Gas on Friday, July 26, 2024, started flowing gas from the Tambakrejo Semarang ORF through 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 Operation and Maintenance (O&M) ORF Tambak Rejo, 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.

On a separate occasion, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif said that by utilizing the Cisem Gas Pipe infrastructure, the benefit that the industry will get is that gas prices will be more affordable.

"In addition, it will meet domestic gas needs for industries, power plants, commercial and households," said Arifin.

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.

Previously, President Joko Widodo also inaugurated the KITB operation which has a land area in planning around 4,300 hectares which will be divided into several phases.

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, the transmission pipeline network should ideally 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," Yayan said.

In addition to industrial areas, gas from the Cisem Pipeline, which is technically managed by pressure and distribution from the Tambakrejo Onshore Receiving Facility (ORF) managed by Pertagas, is channeled to the Tambak Lorok Steam Power Plant (PLTGU) managed by PLN Indonesia Power, and also the household commercial industry in Semarang Demak.