Indonesian Lawmaker Praises New Oil Find, Urges Infrastructure Fixes

Indonesian lawmaker Yulian Gunhar has commended the successful discovery of new oil production from the Menggala South-21 well by SKK Migas and PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR). The well shows an initial potential output of 2,035 barrels of oil per day (BOPD), a development Gunhar described as "good news" amid national efforts to boost oil and gas production and strengthen energy security.

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This success deserves appreciation. It proves that Indonesia's oil and gas potential is still vast, and exploration activities must continue to be encouraged.

"This success deserves appreciation. It proves that Indonesia's oil and gas potential is still vast, and exploration activities must continue to be encouraged," Gunhar stated. However, he cautioned against complacency, warning that the achievement should not lead the government to overlook persistent challenges within the upstream oil and gas sector. Gunhar pointed to the declining production trends in major oil blocks like Rokan and Cepu, as well as various infrastructure disruptions that hinder national lifting efforts.

Gunhar cited several recent incidents, including repeated gas transmission pipeline ruptures, the halting of hundreds of Pertamina rigs, power plant damage, undersea pipeline leaks, and network damage from natural disasters. "The discovery of new reserves is indeed important, but it will not be optimal if production facilities and oil and gas infrastructure frequently experience disruptions," he said. He urged the government to act swiftly to ensure infrastructure reliability, preventing continuous production interruptions.

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The discovery of new reserves is indeed important, but it will not be optimal if production facilities and oil and gas infrastructure frequently experience disruptions.

The PDI-Perjuangan politician called for a comprehensive evaluation of national oil and gas production facilities involving the government, SKK Migas, and all cooperation contract contractors. He stressed that addressing every disruption promptly is crucial to avoid impacting oil and gas lifting targets. "Energy resilience not only depends on exploration success but also on the ability to keep production assets reliable. Therefore, accelerating infrastructure maintenance and repair must be a priority," Gunhar concluded.

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Energy resilience not only depends on exploration success but also on the ability to keep production assets reliable. Therefore, accelerating infrastructure maintenance and repair must be a priority.