Indonesia begins limited public testing of 3-kilogram CNG cylinders

Indonesia has begun testing 3-kilogram compressed natural gas cylinders with a small group of users linked to the government’s Lemigas oil and gas testing center.

The initial participants come from the center’s internal community, including small and medium-sized businesses. Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry oil and gas director general Laode Sulaeman said the trial has shifted from testing the cylinder itself to observing how people use it.

The government plans to evaluate the results in September after one month of direct use. The assessment will cover both the cylinder’s technical performance and its practical use by consumers, Laode said.

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In September we will get the evaluation results, not only regarding the cylinder’s performance, but also regarding how people use it.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said CNG technology already serves hotels, restaurants, cafes and the free nutritious meals program. Its use has largely involved cylinders larger than 10 to 20 kilograms, however.

The smaller format presents a technical challenge because CNG operates at roughly 200 to 250 bar, compared with about 5 to 10 bar for LPG. The government is continuing the trial as it examines CNG as a possible replacement for 3-kilogram LPG cylinders and a way to reduce dependence on imported energy. Bahlil said domestic gas supplies, including a newly identified reserve in East Kalimantan, could support local demand.

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The people testing it are still limited to the Lemigas internal environment. There are small businesses there.