BisnisNews.id – Stakeholders, including the Central Government, Regional Government, and observers agree that the Masela Block, in the Tanimbar Maluku waters, has agreed to accelerate so that the oil and gas block can be produced immediately. The implication is that it will provide optimal results for Indonesia and the producing regions, namely Maluku. Now the process is underway and the people of Maluku are looking forward to the gas project being realized soon.
The Director of PT Maluku Energi Abadi (MEA), Musalam Latuconsina – a BUMD of the Maluku Provincial Government which is involved in working on the 10% participatory interest (PI) of the Masela Block, said that the people, especially the Maluku DPRD, continue to question us (MEA) regarding the continuation of the Masela Block gas project.
“The Masela Block work process has started with the Inpex operator. MEA as a representative of the Maluku Provincial Government has participated in the stages of the process from stages 1-7. However, in May 2021, suddenly there was a letter from Inpex asking for the process to be completed. hold or postponed because there are directions from SKK Migas and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,” said Mussalam during the “Masela Block in Maluku Community Economic Development” Webinar held by the Energy Room and Maluku Energi Abadi (MEA), Wednesday (12/8/2021).
Within a week, he explained, the letter was immediately replied to Inpex. In fact, MEA sent a letter to SKK Migas and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to ask why the Masela Block project should be held. What is the problem, but until now there is no clear answer.
“Our letter has not been answered until now, both by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, SKK Migas and also Inpex,” explained Musalam again.
Now rumors are circulating that even the 10% PI is not only for the Maluku Provincial Government which was later carried out by MEA. However, there are local governments or other regions that are said to be getting a share of the 10% PI.
“Meanwhile, it is clear that the Masela Block is administratively located in the Tanimbar region, Maluku Provincial Government,” said Musalam.
PI 10% Clear
Meanwhile, Syaifudin from SKK Migas on the webinar gave an answer that the 10% PI share had been realized, namely to the Maluku Provincial Government. Furthermore, the provincial government must form a BUMD so that it can participate in running the business and become part of the Oil and Gas Block with 10% PI shares according to the provisions of the Act.
According to Syaifudin, so far Inpex as the operator of the Masela Block has also carried out corporate social responsibility (CSR) duties to the surrounding community.
“They can broadly be grouped in the form of educational assistance and skills training to local residents, health, environment and community empowerment,” said the SKK Migas official.
From the initial plan, Inpex will invest up to USD20 billion to operate the Masela Block. The investment is divided into four stages, starting from pre-reconstruction, construction, production to post-production of the oil and gas block.
“The special government of SKK Migas will obey the principles and be ready to carry out the policies of the central government through the law and its derivative products related to the operation of the Masela Block,” explained Syaifudin.
Meanwhile, the Sub-Coordinator for the Assessment of the Oil and Gas Field Development Plan of the Directorate General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Barkun Kharisma Suko, said that regarding the 10% PI, the rules were clear for producing regions. The government is committed to implementing the policy, and so far the process has been running in the Masela Block.
However, said Barkun, there is a limit to the 10% PI. For oil and gas blocks in waters such as the Masela Block, if they are in the range of 1-4 miles from the coastline, then that is part of the producing Regency/City. However, if it is 4-12 miles from the coastline, then the 10% PI becomes part of the oil and gas-producing provincial government.
“Related to the dispute over the 10% PI Masela Block, it is part of the Maluku Regency or Provincial Government and or other regions that will receive it, is under the authority of the Central Government cq. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will decide. Unfortunately, until now we have not received the decision,” admitted Barkun again. .
However, both Syaifudin and Barkun agreed, the Government would definitely take a decision that was fair and best for all.
“In essence, the Masela Block is a national strategic project and needs to be supported by all parties. If the Malela Block is operational and produces gas, then all will receive the benefits for the Regional Government through the Regional Budget and the Central Government through the APBN,” said Syaifudin.
Looking for Masela Gas Buyers
Meanwhile, DEN Secretary General Djoko Siswanto said, we are all, especially DEN, committed to supporting the operation of the Masela Block. This oil and gas block must be produced in order to provide maximum results for the nation and state. The operator already exists, namely Inpex and he has even invited BUMD and local business actors to be involved there.
“From the Masela Block we will enjoy it as an Indonesian nation. Later, if the absorbed workforce is operated, contractors and sub-contractors including local business actors will contribute to this Masela Block,” said Djoko Siswanto.
He asked to stop all debates about the Masela Block. Return everything to the applicable law, including 10% PI.
“Everything is clear, which are the rights of the operator, the central government and the regional government. Let’s together advance the national oil and gas industry from the Masela Block,” explained Djoko Siswanto.
But one thing that must not be forgotten, we must immediately find gas buyers from the Masela Block. As long as there is no gas buyer for the Masela Block and there is a definite gas sale and purchase agreement, then do not expect the Masela Block to be operational.
“There must be a buyer for the Masela Block gas. This is our task going forward,” said Djoko Siswanto.
Meanwhile, oil and gas observer Ridwan Nyak Baik added that when it comes to buying gas from the Masela Block, it is the duty and authority of SKK Migas and the Directorate General of Oil and Gas of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
“When it comes to finding buyers for gas from the Masela Block, it is the government’s task, especially SKK Migas and the Directorate General of Oil and Gas,” said the Acehnese son.
He added that it was not easy to find buyers for the Masela Block gas. However, without a clear buyer, the operator has not dared to operate the Masela oil and gas block.
“It is not young, but that is the task of SKK Migas and the Directorate General of Oil and Gas. We civil society need to support and monitor it,” said Ridwan Nyak Baik.
Source: https://bisnisnews.id/detail/berita/tangan-kegalauan-warga-maluku-dunia-blok-masela-ini-kata-skk-migas-
