Great Potential, Methane Hydrate Becomes Future Clean Energy Solution

The energy transition, from fossil energy to New and Renewable Energy (EBT) which is cleaner, less emissions, and environmentally friendly, is the direction of national energy policy. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif revealed the need for efforts to find new energy potentials to be able to meet the increasing energy needs. In Indonesia, in a 2004 study, potential reserves of methane hydrate have been found whose volume is estimated to reach more than 850 Trillion Cubic Feet (Tcf).

“This amount is equivalent to eight times the current natural gas reserves, so we hope that this new alternative energy source will support national energy security,” said Arifin at the Legal and Policy Framework for the Development of Offshore Methane Hydrate as the Indonesia’s Future Transitional Clean Energy. online, Tuesday (8/6).

The development of methane hydrate is a cleaner energy option when compared to oil and coal. The extraction and production of methane hydrate gas is considered to be able to become a source of state revenue and play a role in the energy mix.

“Indonesia needs to immediately develop where its extraction and production will provide solutions to provide new energy, become a source of state revenue, and can play a role in Indonesia’s future energy mix,” he added.

Arifin also emphasized the importance of an integrated legal and policy analysis to ensure that the development of methane hydrate remains in line with the principles of sustainable development.

“Methane hydrate development activities must be carried out by considering the physical characteristics of gas hydrate, environmental issues, technology in extracting methane hydrate, as well as the economic value and capability of the national upstream oil and gas industry,” he said.

Seeing the urgency of utilizing methane hydrate gas, Arifin emphasized the need to strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation in encouraging the energy transition process.

“For that, we really hope for the support of stakeholders, academics, and other stakeholders in achieving energy transition goals, including the potential for the use of methane hydrate gas to support national energy security as well as achieve the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Arifin.

In the webinar, Director General of Oil and Gas (Migas) Tutuka Ariadji detailed the potential of Indonesia’s methane gas hydrate reserves which reached more than 850 Tcf in two main locations.

“Based on the initial survey in 2004, Indonesia managed to find potential methane hydrate reserves of more than 850 Tcf in two main locations, namely the waters south of Sumatra to the northwest of Java at 625 Tcf and in the Makassar Strait as much as 233.2 Tcf,” he explained. .

In addition to these locations, methane hydrates are also scattered in areas off the coast of Simeuleu, Mentawai Trench, Sunda Strait, Java Front Arc, North Lombok, Makassar Strait, Sulawesi Sea, Aru, Misool, Kumawa, Wigeo, Wokam, and Salawati.

This webinar is recognized as the first large-scale discussion on methane hydrate to be held in Indonesia. The Head of the Legal Bureau of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, M. Idris F. Sihite, said that the enthusiasm and curiosity of the participants this time was not only about how to use methane hydrate gas, but also the policies and legal aspects that the government would initiate.

“With 1,100 registered participants, it shows that there is enthusiasm from the participants, not only in terms of their curiosity, about how to develop methane hydrate with its various potentials in Indonesia, but in the end what policies and legal aspects will be initiated. by the government. This event has great and extraordinary benefits for Indonesia. What we will get today is certainly one of the foundations for the government to formulate policies on the use of methane hydrate, “said Idris.

One of the speakers who attended this webinar was Professor of the Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) Doddy Abdassah. In his presentation, Doddy explained that methane hydrate gas is the largest non-conventional hydrocarbon resource and can be produced safely. It is estimated that more than 50% of the earth’s hydrocarbon deposits are stored in the form of methane hydrate.

According to Doddy, a comprehensive and integrated analysis is needed in exploration and production, as well as research and technology development for the commercialization of methane hydrate gas production. Indonesia, continued Doddy, has a very good opportunity to take advantage of the potential of methane hydrate gas, and must immediately take advantage of this opportunity to move towards “green energy” fossil energy.

Meanwhile, another resource person, Professor of International and Comparative Law, School of Law, University of Aberdeen Andrew Partyn explained the potential locations of methane hydrate gas globally, including in Indonesia. Partain also provided input related to sustainable development for offshore hydrates in Indonesia. According to him, Indonesia needs to move quickly to prepare various policies and strengths to develop the offshore hydrate industry, considering that several countries have prepared this industry to run in 2030.