Mahakam Back to Pertamina

Mahakam Back to Pertamina

by Ahmad Khoirul Basyar

Last week, Indonesia decided to erase the subsidies of gasoline. Whether it is good or bad decision, we should believe our government that policy will bring our nation to the good era of energy. Another news of energy is Mahakam block which is developed by TOTAL EP on 2017 will give it back to Pertamina with 2 alternatives. First, it gives back 100% to Pertamina. Second, joint mechanism with TOTAL and the compensation Pertamina will get the TOTAL’s block overseas. Both of the contracts are good for our energy storage.

Mahakam is one of the oil and gas field which is big and geological identic in Indonesia. Mahakam is a delta system which is sedimentation dominated by river and tidal waves. Mahakam have a potential for oil more than 50 million barrel and gas among 2.5 TCF (Trillion cubic feet) in the last of 2017. It will be helping our energy consumption. However, the big potential have big problem too. Pertamina needs a technology which is supported to exploit the hydrocarbons more deeper than now. Pertamina will be agree with high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) condition. That’s a challenge for engineer, because when we solved the problem we may get more hydrocarbons than the prediction. Otherwise, Mahakam is a big field, a lot of block have not explored yet. Thus, there will be another hydrocarbon potential for us.

How if we do not get 100% of Mahakam Block? We got compensation from TOTAL and have the right to develop TOTAL block overseas. By developing block overseas, our energy storage will be increased. Besides that, the portfolio of Pertamina will be added and help them for being global energy company.