Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) under the Indonesian state-owned oil and natural gas corporation is optimistic that in the next four months it can achieve the target of drilling 161 new wells in the Rokan Block, Riau province.

"We are very optimistic because before the transfer of management, we have provided rigs and materials, as well as the crew members to complete the works," said PHR’s President Director Jaffee Arizon Suardin, Thursday (Aug. 19).

Jaffee pointed out that since the transfer of management from Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI) on August 9, 2021, Pertamina has drilled six new wells in the Rokan Block, after previously drilling four new wells during the transition period.

With efficient drillings, so far, Pertamina has 10 new active wells in the Rokan Block.

"Initially the work took 20 days, but now it only takes 11 days. There is also drilling works of seven days, but could be completed in five days," said Jaffee.

Data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources show that the Rokan Block is one of the strategic work areas that has produced more than 11 billion barrels of oil from 1951 to 2021.

Throughout the first semester of 2021, the average production from the working area is around 160,500 barrels per day, or about 24 percent of the national production. Meanwhile, the natural gas production from the Rokan Block reaches 41 million cubic feet per day.

The Rokan Block is the second largest oil and gas field in Indonesia with an area of ​​6,453 square kilometers with 10 main fields, namely Minas, Duri, Bangko, Bekasap, Balam South, Kotabatak, Petani, Pematang, Petapahan, and Pager.

In an effort to increase the oil and gas production in the Rokan Block, Pertamina has planned to drill 161 new wells throughout 2021.

Furthermore, Pertamina will also drill up to 500 new wells in 2022.

The new well drilling activity is supported by 16 drilling rigs and 29 rigs for work over and well service activities, which is a mirroring of the previous contract.

Reporting by Indonesia Window