He said the average production of oil and gas in 2010 reached 954,000 barrels a day but in the first week of February, 2011, it reached only around 930,000 barrels a day.
He said heavy rains that fell continuously early in February had caused the oil to freeze so that it could not be produced.
"Oil and gas production has dropped because of weather factors," Rizal said.
Besides weather factors oil production had also been hindered by gas supply needed to help the lifting the oil that has also stopped.
"Leakage in the TGI pipes have also caused gas supply for Chevron`s production being stopped for several days," he said.
Because of the leakage average national oil production has dropped 6,000 barrels a day.
Although the average national oil production has dropped Rizal said he was optimistic the target of oil lifting at 970,000 barrels a day for 2011 would be achieved.
BP Migas, the country`s upstream oil and gas executive agency, is trying to increase oil production by asking contractors (KKS) to prevent unplanned shutdown.
BP Migas and KKS are preparing various measures to minimize the unplanned shutdown by increasing the reliability of production facility equipment, mitigating risks and optimizing maintenance activity plans to minimize the impact of production cut during activity.
BP Migas and contractors would also increase coordination with parties concerned with oil and gas production operations.
"We are optimistic the national target will be achieved at the end of 2011," Rizal said.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
