Below is a list with tagged columns and company profiles.

Today's Headlines Oil & Gas

  • Oil Production at Indonesia's Banyu Urip Field Has Risen

    Oil production at the Banyu Urip field, part of the Cepu Block in East Java, has finally reached the level of 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) in February 2016 after a long delay. According to Indonesia's oil & gas regulator SKK Migas, production at the field stood at an average of 130,000 bpd in the first month of 2016. The Banyu Urip field, operated by ExxonMobil Cepu Ltd, is expected to reach its top production rate - around 165,000 bpd - in March or April. This would mean that the Banyu Urip field accounts for nearly 20 percent of Indonesia's total oil production.

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  • Indonesian Government Seeks Investors for Bontang Oil Refinery

    The government of Indonesia wants to construct the Bontang oil refinery in East Kalimantan through a private-public partnership (PPP). Sudirman Said, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, said construction of the Bontang oil refinery is scheduled to commence in 2017. State-owned energy company Pertamina will be in charge of the project and is now searching for investors to participate in the project which is estimated to require a total of USD $14.5 billion in investment.

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  • Low Global Oil Prices: Positive or Negative for Indonesia?

    Indonesia turned into a net oil importer in 2004 as domestic oil output declined sharply while domestic fuel consumption surged amid the growing economy (hence becoming more and more dependent on oil imports). Prior to 2016, the Indonesian government provided generous energy subsidies (for fuel and electricity), resulting in a deteriorating budget deficit, trade deficit, current account deficit, and pressure on the rupiah. Moreover, government spending on energy consumption limited room for government spending on productive sectors such as infrastructure and social development.

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  • Low Oil Prices Can Cause Lower Oil Production in Indonesia

    Although oil prices somewhat recovered from 12-year lows on Friday (08/01) on China's rebounding stock market there is concern that Indonesia will not achieve its 2016 oil lifting target as the country's oil producers become less eager to boost production rates amid unattractive oil prices. Yesterday, Brent oil fell to USD $32.16 per barrel - the lowest level since 2004 - after China devalued its yuan and Chinese stocks plunged over 7 percent causing the circuit-breaking mechanism to kick in and even causing a global stock selloff.

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  • Bank Indonesia: Current Account Deficit Improved to 1.86% of GDP in Q3-2015

    The current account balance of Indonesia improved due to the stronger non-oil & gas trade balance. Indonesia's current account deficit eased to USD $4.0 billion, or 1.86 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), in the third quarter of 2015. This performance was much better than the USD $7.0 billion deficit (3.02 percent of GDP) recorded in Q3-2014 or USD $4.2 billion (1.95 percent of GDP) in Q2-2015. Meanwhile, the balance of payments showed a deficit of USD $4.6 billion, up from the deficit of USD $2.93 billion in the preceding quarter.

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  • Oil & Gas Blocks for Sale in Indonesia: Profit Sharing Made more Attractive

    The government of Indonesia decided to offer more attractive profit sharing schemes in order to lure investors to invest the nation’s oil & gas blocks. In September, the government plans to auction a total of eight oil & gas blocks with a profit sharing of 30 percent to 35 percent for oil, and 35 percent to 40 percent for gas. The majority of profit will still go to the government. Usually, the government offers a 15 percent profit share for oil and a 30 percent profit share for gas to investors.

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  • Trade Balance Indonesia Improves in July 2015 but Concerns Persist

    Indonesia’s trade balance surplus widened to USD $1.33 billion in July 2015, improving markedly from the USD $528 million trade surplus in the preceding month and being much higher than expectations of analysts. Based on the latest data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia’s July exports fell 19.2 percent (y/y) to USD $11.4 billion, while imports plunged 28.4 percent (y/y) to USD $10.1 billion. The trade surplus is positive as it supports a narrowing current account deficit (which stood at 2.1 percent of GDP in Q2-2015).

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  • Oil Sector Indonesia: Production Target 2016 and Rejoining the OPEC

    Indonesia expects to produce between 800,000 and 830,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) in 2016. This range was agreed during a working meeting between Commission VII (which oversees the country’s energy sector) of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. The meeting was held in the context of deliberations on the 2016 State Budget. So far this year, Indonesia’s crude oil output stands at an average of 802,046 bpd (monthly basis). Domestic demand, however, stands at 1.43 million bpd.

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  • Indonesia Posts $1.1 Billion Trade Surplus in March 2015

    Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Wednesday (15/04) that Indonesia posted a USD $1.13 billion trade surplus in March 2015, the country’s fourth straight monthly trade surplus, and almost twice the size that analysts had forecast earlier. Despite the monthly trade surplus being good news, data also showed that both Indonesian exports and imports contracted. Exports were down 9.8 percent (y/y) to USD $13.71 billion in March, while imports fell 13.4 percent (y/y) to USD $12.58 billion.

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  • Indonesian Government Flexible on Mandatory Letter of Credit (L/C)

    Amid unclarity over the newly introduced mandatory use of letters of credit (L/C), the Indonesian government has showed some flexibility. Starting from Wednesday (01/04) Indonesian exporters of four key commodities - coal, palm (kernel) oil, oil & gas, and minerals - are required to use L/C for all export deals. This new rule was developed in order to increase Indonesia’s export earnings and enhance monitoring sales of the country’s natural resources. However, a temporary exemption is now made possible.

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Latest Columns Oil & Gas

  • Indonesian Government Prepares Seven Incentives to Spur Investments

    The government of Indonesia is busy preparing seven tax incentives to boost investment flows in 2014. Investments currently account for approximately 32 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Only domestic consumption owns a larger stake towards the economy with 55 percent. The regulatory framework related to the seven incentives is expected to be finalized by the end of this year. The incentives consist of five new ones and the relaxation of two older incentives, namely the tax holiday and tax allowance.

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  • Indonesia's Trade Balance Reports Another Trade Deficit in April

    Indonesia's trade balance recorded another deficit in April 2013 as imports (USD $16.31 billion) exceeded exports (USD $14.70 billion). April's trade deficit, amounting to USD $1.62 billion, was mainly due to continued weak commodity exports in combination with strong oil, basic machinery and utensils imports. After five consecutive months of deficits up to February, Indonesia’s trade account reported a surplus of USD $330 million in March, but fell back into deficit in April. From January to April, Indonesia's trade deficit stands at USD $1.85 billion.

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  • Fiscal Incentives to Stimulate Investments in Indonesia's Oil and Gas Exploration

    The Indonesian government - through its Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry - has stated to provide fiscal incentives to encourage oil and gas exploration in Indonesia. Indonesia, a former OPEC member, has recorded a declining oil production since the 1990s due to a lack of exploration and investments in this sector. To reverse this situation, the government will provide a number of tax exemptions.

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  • No Pain, No Gain; Will Indonesia's Oil Production Be Back on Track?

    This year, Indonesia will have to face declining production numbers in its oil and gas sector. Gas output is assumed to decline by 14.77 percent compared to last year, while oil output will reach similar levels as in 2012, provided that there are no disruptions due to bad weather and leakages (a prerequisite that will be hard to meet).

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