OREANDA-NEWS. October 02, 2014. PT Pertamina (Persero) through its subsidiary, PT Pertamina Drilling Service Indonesia (PDSI), would operate a new rig named “PDSI#43.3/AB1500-E” for drilling operation in Algeria. The rig, worth USD26.6 million, was produced by PT Citra Tubindo Engineering’s (CTE) yard. Constructing rig locally was part of PErtamina’s contribution in building the national oil and gas industry’s capability.
 
The naming ceremony was attending by Pertamina Upstream Director Muhammad Husen, PDSI president director Farid Rudiono and CTE president director Kris Taenar Wiluan at CTE’s yard in Batam on Thursday (18/9).
 
Pertamina upstream director Muhammad Husen said that rig “PDSI#43.3/AB1500-E” was the company’s third order to CTE which had previously produced two similar rigs which were currently operated at the Cepu block. For the third rig, he added, it would be operated at block 405a in Alegria where Pertamina was the operator.
 
“We’re very proud to use locally-constructed product. In addition to efficient cost, the performance of the rig is also very satisfying as shown at the Cepu block. This will be Pertamina’s big capital to bring locally-produced rig to be operated in Algeria,” Husen said.
 
The construction of Rig “PDSI#43.4/AB1500-E” was started in the first quarter of 2014 with the contract cost of USD 26.6 million. Currently, the progress of the rig whose specification had been adjusted to Algeria’s nature condition had reached 90% and was expected to be completed in October 2014. The structure, installation, integration and commissioning of the rig with the capacity of 1,500 hp was all done by Indonesians who worked for PT Citra Tubindo Engineering in Batam.
 
“With the presence of potential companies like CTE, Pertamina is becoming more committed to be the locomotive of Indonesia Incorporate in its operation areas abroad. The government of Algeria has been very open with Indonesia, particularly Pertamina, not only in giving operatorship, but also to appoint Indonesian partners,” Hanung explained.
 
PDSI president director Farid Rudiono said after rig “PDSI#43.3/AB1500-E” was finished in October, it would be shipped in November so in January 2015, it would be ready to be operated at Block 405a in Algeria. According to him, Algeria was new challenge for PDSI because of its extreme environment like desert, thick dust and temperature that could hit 50o Celsius.
 
“However, we believe that with our experiences, PDSI will be able to show good works in Algeria,” he said.