JAKARTA, NETRALNEWS.COM - In the midst of low global oil prices, the upstream oil and gas industry is still able to move in the fourth quarter of 2017. This is marked by the start of development of three gas fields, namely Bison, Iguana, and Gajah Puteri (BIGP) fields near Anambas Islands, Natuna Sea.

The project, operated by partnership contractor (KKS) Premier Oil Natuna Sea BV, is a continuation of gas development in the Natuna Sea Block A work area.

The commencement of this development project is marked by the signing of an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI) contract between Premier Oil Natuna Sea and acting contractor Timas Suplindo on October 10, 2017.

"This is an important progress for the project, and shows that Indonesia's upstream oil and gas industry is still moving, despite global oil prices that have not fully recovered," said Head of Program and Communication Division of SKK Migas Wisnu Prabawa Taher, on Thursday (10/12/2017).

The work scope of the EPCI agreement also includes modification work at the WHP Pelikan Pavilion Facility, WHP Drag, GB CPP and AGX.

The project includes the development of three subsea wells in Bison, Iguana and Gajah Puteri fields, at a depth of approximately 80 m above sea level,

Production from Bison and Iguana Fields will be moved through pipes of 8 km and 6 km, respectively, to the Pelikan Pavilion before being forwarded to the Gajah Baru CPP facility for processing.

Meanwhile, production from Gajah Puteri field will be streamed through the pipeline as far as 42 km to AGX pavilion with the control system from Naga pavilion.

The BIGP Gas Development Project will add gas reserves of around 80 BCF, with a maximum production of 60 MMscfd and condensate production of about 1,100 bopd.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2019 to meet existing gas sales commitments.