[Unpad.ac.id, 18/11/2013] The decrease in the world’s oil production and the increase in energy demand in Indonesia have led to the need for the search for alternative energy. The development of environmentally-friendly and low-cost new energy is considered necessary as a solution for national energy need. One of the potential alternative energies is shale gas.
Agus Guntoro, lecturer from Faculty of Terrestrial Technology and Energy Universitas Trisakti (Photo by: Tedi Yusup)
Agus Guntoro, teaching staff member from Faculty of Terrestrial Technology and Energy Universitas Trisakti said that Indonesia has the world’s biggest shale gas potential. Based on his research findings, there are 2000 TCF of shale gas in the country. However, it has not been globally recorded. Currently, China is known as the country with the biggest number of shale gas (1400 TCF), followed by the USA (1100 TCF).
This is delivered by Guntoro at national seminar “Unconventional Energy: Challenge for Geoscientist to Found New Resources for Better Indonesia Energy at The Future” as a part of a series of events in “Trapspot (Through A Petroleum System, National Seminar, Poster & Debate Contest)”, held at Bale Santika Unpad Jatinangor, Monday (18/11).
“There is no global report that mentions Indonesia as the world’s biggest shale gas potential. This is what I questioned for my research. And the fact that we have the biggest potential should be promoted,” said Guntoro.
Data from Indonesia’s Geology Institution show that the total speculated number for Indonesia’s shale gas potential is 574,07 TCF. Other data (by Talisman, 2012) reveal that there are 5000 TCF of shale gas potential. The unrecorded fact of the country’s potential has caused the small number of investors which affects the economy.
Today, shale has has been successfully developed in countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, China, and India with the total number of production reaching 27 billions cubic feet per day, while the number is still zero in Indonesia. The challenge is that shale gas projects need a massive investment and a long period of time which is around 5-10 years before they reach the commercial stage. In addition, government’s concern for this potential has not been optimal, and there are also challenges in environmental issues, such as water and air pollutions, earthquakes, and excessive uses for clean water.
Besides Guntoro, Budi Tamtomo (Vice President Asset Unconventional Pertamina) and Edi Sunardi (lecturer from Faculty of Geology Unpad) also spoke at the seminar. It is one of the events for Geology Unpad Reunion on December 14, 2013 with this year’s theme “It’s time to Maximize Geologist Potentials for the Better Indonesia”. *
