PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN) will soon realize the construction of a pipeline interconnection network that connects the South Sumatra West Java (SSWJ) Transmission Pipe.

The company targets to complete the interconnection, which its work will begin in March 2021 in the fourth quarter of 2021. The pipeline network will span 1000 km connecting to the West Java Area (WJA) Transmission Pipe, which it previously built for approximately 525 km.

This development realizes the mid-term natural gas pipeline program for 2021-2023 to improve the quality of gas infrastructure and national natural gas consumption. Natural gas from the Sumbagtengsel Gas Field on the SSJW I-Bojonegara - Cikande - Bitung pipeline will connect to Bitung Station on the transmission pipeline integration of the WJA Pipe.

PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk carried out the engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (EPIC) signing with PT Pratiwi Putri Sulung.

"Our important mission is that the SSWJ and WJA pipe interconnection will increase the distribution capacity in an integrated system. Bitung Station will supply gas from SSWJ with a maximum capacity of approximately 165 BBTUD for the gas needs of Pupuk Kujang Cikampek (PKC) and RU Balongan, as well as a source of supply to anticipate the natural decline of gas supply in the West Java production field, "said the Director of Infrastructure and PGN Technology Redy Ferryanto in Jakarta, Friday (19/3).

From this infrastructure integration, according to Redy, it is hoped that it can boost the efficiency of investment and operating costs, as well as expand gas distribution to new areas, especially in West Java in a sustainable manner.

"Previously, the guarantee of gas availability was not optimal. So it is hoped that the interconnection of the Sumatra and Java pipelines can strengthen the reliability of natural gas infrastructure in Western Indonesia. Furthermore, it can help the government in achieving energy independence, because the utilization of domestic gas is expected to increase, "he said.