Jakarta, Ruangenergi.com – Director of PT Maluku Energi Abadi (MEA), Musalam Latuconsina said, the protracted decision on the 10 percent participatory interest (PI) of the Masela Block has raised questions from the people, especially the Maluku DPRD 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 a letter from Inpex asked for the process to be held or postponed on the grounds that there was a directive from SKK Migas and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,” said Musalam in a virtual discussion “Masela Block in the Economic Development of the Maluku Community” held Energy Room and Maluku Eternal Energy (MEA), Wednesday (8/12/2021).
Within a week, his party immediately replied to the letter to Inpex. MEA even sent a letter to SKK Migas and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources asking 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. My question is why did they not reply to our letter,” asked Mussalam.
Not only that, he said, in September the Governor of Maluku also sent a letter to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources which was copied to the President of the Republic of Indonesia and all relevant ministries, but so far there has been no reply.
“So, on behalf of the people of Maluku, we are very disappointed with the current condition, but whatever we are, we are waiting for the final decision. The important thing is that everything is in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” he said.
Previously, the Directorate General of Oil and Gas stated that Article 17 of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 37/2016 prioritized a 10 percent PI for BUMD and at that time it assumed the BUMD in question was a Provincial BUMD.
“So if there is a Regency BUMD, it should have been submitted from the initial stage. Do not already in the sixth stage, something like this will appear for reasons that are not in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations,” he said.
“Nevertheless, we are still waiting in accordance with the applicable regulations, even if there are changes to the MEA regulations, we will still wait. If there are regulations that have changed, the people of Maluku will obey the rules,” added Musalam.
He also hopes that the 10 percent PI in the three working areas in Maluku can be obtained soon. According to him, two working areas, namely the Bula and Non Bula oil and gas fields, have already processed it and hopefully it can be realized next year. Likewise with the Masela Block.
“What we expect from the 10 percent PI fund has indeed been allocated. First, we will definitely allocate it to operational funds, because we also have a business field that will be developed for the benefit of the Maluku people,” he said.
“While the rest will definitely go to Maluku Province’s Original Regional Revenue (PAD), and later from the province it will be distributed to all regencies/cities in Maluku Province. That will be the governor’s policy as a leader in Maluku Province,” he continued.
PI 10% Clear
On the same occasion, the Head of the Formalities Division of SKK Migas, Syaifuddin said that the 10% PI share had been realized, namely 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 aids and skills training for local residents, health, environment and empowerment of surrounding communities,” said the SKK Migas official.
He further said that from the initial plan, Inpex would invest up to USD 20 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.
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 the 10% PI has clear rules 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.
“Cross-related disputes over the 10% PI Masela Block are part of the Regency Government or Maluku Provincial Government and or other regions that will receive it, 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, “said Barkun.
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 local government through the regional budget and the central government through the state budget,” concluded Syaifudin.
Meanwhile, oil and gas observer, Ridwan Nyak Baik asked the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and SKK Migas to be transparent, especially regarding the 10 percent PI and progress in the Masela project to be disclosed.
“Regarding the 10 percent PI for the Masela Block, the government in this case the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and SKK Migas must be open, because that is public information that must be disclosed,” he concluded. (SF)
Source : https://www.ruangenergi.com/pi-10-persen-blok-masela-masih-tertunda-pt-mea-masyarakat-maluku-kecewa/
