Energy

The nation’s vast territorial expanse and established presence of experienced, well-financed international and domestic oil firms has led to the discovery and exploitation of a succession of sizeable oil and gas projects across the country for more than 125 years. As of 2013, Indonesia’s total hydrocarbons reserves reportedly included 3.7bn barrels of oil and 103.3trn cu ft of natural gas. In 2012, 96 new exploratory wells were drilled across the country – 55 onshore and 41 offshore – up from 81 exploratory wells drilled in 2011. Indonesia ranked fifth in the world in terms of total liquefied natural gas exports, behind Qatar, Malaysia, Australia and Nigeria. The growing shortage of domestic petrol production capacity will see Indonesia surpass the US as the world’s largest importer of petrol by 2018. Exploring and exploiting new oil and gas fields – including more expensive plays such as shale gas, deepwater and frontier resources – will be increasingly important for both exports and the growing domestic market as maturing legacy fields continue to decline in productivity. The success of these efforts relies not only on the technical capabilities of the oil and gas operators in the country, but also on the creation of a stable regulatory framework to support investor confidence. This chapter contains interviews with Karen Agustiawan, President Director, Pertamina; and Nur Pamudji, President Director, Perusahaan Listrik Negara; and an energy roundtable with Andhika Anindyaguna, CEO, Sugih Energy; Jon M Gibbs, President, ExxonMobil Indonesia; Lukman Mahfoedz, President, IPA and President Director, Medco Energi; Roberto Lorato, President Director, Premier Oil Industries Indonesia; and Hardy Pramono, President and General Manager, Total E&P Indonesia.