RI to build mega-power plant

davita

Interesting.... the day after nixing the Sunda bridge connecting Java to Sumatra because its location is right next to the anak Krakatoa volcano, the RI Gov't intends to build 'one of the world's largest' electrical power-plant in Cilacap, central Java. It will be coal-fired. Indonesia straddles the biggest thermal fault line, probably on this planet, and they don't consider thermal energy as a source for electrical provision? It is reported that Bali will face a power crisis by 2016 and yet, Balinese refuse to consider a thermal energy plant on the island I'm told because....the federal gov't are not giving us enough money for the land as it's 'dewi sri sawa.' Any comments?

Markit

Do you REALLY want these people digging around a thermal fault line? Remember the Lusi mud eruption? Drilling anyone?

davita

I don't know much about drilling but would have thought a thermal drill was far less hazardous than coal mining. Indonesia is one of the biggest exporters of coal in the world and there are over 300 coal mining companies.....maybe some influence?

Braveheart_shaped_box

davita wroteI don't know much about drilling but would have thought a thermal drill was far less hazardous than coal mining. Indonesia is one of the biggest exporters of coal in the world and there are over 300 coal mining companies.....maybe some influence?

Sorry Davo but when a coal mine is breached it does not erupt from the ground spewing coal everywhere, thermal mud under pressure [I]erupts[/I].

davita

Braveheart_shaped_box wroteSorry Davo but when a coal mine is breached it does not erupt from the ground spewing coal everywhere, thermal mud under pressure [I]erupts[/I].

No need to be sorry....I'm enlightened. So you say that digging a hole for coal can never breach the earth where mud will erupt under pressure but drilling for oil or geothermal energy will........and you know this because?

davita

@ #7 Thanks braveheart...so it seems that all drilling, whether for oil, coal or geothermal have identifiable safety issues, but I didn't read that one has more concern than another. Your info corresponds with the Lapindo (Lusi) mud eruption. There is still dispute about the cause but no dispute that the Company doing the exploration did NOT carry out proper safety precautions. They were supposed to line the borehole with a steel sleeve.....but didn't.

Braveheart_shaped_box

Thanks to Robert Gordon Institute of Technology I am an expert on irrelevant and a mine(?) of useless information. Coal seams are prone to gas pockets, not mud, and therefore bore holes are part of the test process on new coal resources. These test holes are minute with a multiway valve system that not only checks the gas content for LEL (Low Explosion Level) but controls the emissions and confirms the pressure of the gas. Pressurised mud caps and 'wet' deposits are found in oil bearing strata, particularly in Shale Oil Fields. Test drilling should reveal the extent of the pressure and content of the 'mud' and Blowout Prevention devices should control this. Cowboy drill crews often ignore the safety and environmental rules, usually for commercial reasons, in other words, safety costs too much and 'hey presto' hot, smelly mud flowing up yer front street. A very much shortened version of a long and very boring essay I did for part of my 'Industrial Injuries' Nursing course.

Markit

Well, I for one have changed my entire view of the drilling and renewable energy possibilities here in Indonesia, why you only have to read this article [COLOR=#ff0000](CorpWatch*:*Mud and the Minister: A Tale of Woe in Java)[/COLOR] to see how honorable and conscientious PT Lapindo Brantas have been in looking after the small (ne tiny) mud flow that was obviously a result of natural causes by Surabaya. My only regret is that I can't invite them to come to my neighborhood and do some really good drilling next door. Shuky Dern, just no volcanic activity (YET) here in Karangasem!! But who knows if I can get them to come there might well be some soon!!

Braveheart_shaped_box

davita wrote@ #7 Thanks braveheart...so it seems that all drilling, whether for oil, coal or geothermal have identifiable safety issues, but I didn't read that one has more concern than another. Your info corresponds with the Lapindo (Lusi) mud eruption. There is still dispute about the cause but no dispute that the Company doing the exploration did NOT carry out proper safety precautions. They were supposed to line the borehole with a steel sleeve.....but didn't.

I specifically avoided mentioning any incidents by name as my main source of employment is still involved in some 'claims'. But yes, in a well-documented mud spill, it would appear that 'rogue' elements totally ignored standard operational procedures and the company downhole blowback device was still sitting in a warehouse in Texas waiting for a PO invoice to be honoured. A quick look at the list of 'directors' of the company who were allegedly involved will reveal why this item will never be resolved and the people of the area will never be adequately compensated for their losses.

davita

So far no-one has convinced me that geothermal production, given proper safety considerations, would be more dangerous than coal, oil, gas mining or nuclear reactors. At the end of day we need more energy and, as Gurkha explained, geothermal IS clean and sustainable and readily available in Indonesia. Coal and gas is also readily available but, when converted to electrical energy, maybe not so clean....therefore, I kinda think like Gurkha that some 'pressure' ...is entrenched.

Braveheart_shaped_box

Gurkha wroteWhile not easy, Geothermal drilling is an established exploration and production method for producing clean energy. There are a lot of Geothermal production areas in the Philippines, like Negros Oriental and Leyte. If the Filipinos can do it successfully, why not Indonesia!

If I was as cynical as my learned Uncle and mentor, I would suggest that the reason Geothermal Energy is not fully utilised in Indonesia is that the resource cannot be 're-asigned' (ie stolen) loaded onto a barge, and sold elsewhere, but that would be nasty.

Braveheart_shaped_box

Gurkha wroteRead the Neal Adams report on the entire mud volcano issue - very enlightening as regards drilling practices on THAT particular well!

That document is part of a package of damning evidence which has been verified by independent geophysicists from Australia, USA, Europe and Indonesia. The Indonesian content has since been removed as one of the signees now works as a consultant for ... ah dunno it sounds like a Bakery or something!

Braveheart_shaped_box

davita wroteSo far no-one has convinced me that geothermal production, given proper safety considerations, would be more dangerous than coal, oil, gas mining or nuclear reactors. At the end of day we need more energy and, as Gurkha explained, geothermal IS clean and sustainable and readily available in Indonesia. Coal and gas is also readily available but, when converted to electrical energy, maybe not so clean....therefore, I kinda think like Gurkha that some 'pressure' ...is entrenched.

It IS safe and clean Davy and if you have a week to spare when Uncle Joe gets here, mention the often planned and rejected Geothermal Project at Bedugul in his earshot, then stand back and watch the entertainment. Clue, have a look at the nameplate embedded in the concrete slab plinth at the proposed/rejected site.

Fred2

Been to the mud flow in Surabaya, the government was stung pretty bad, railway tracks had to be moved, toll road just closed & about 10 villages went under. The drilling company done a runner & left the government with the problem. The mud is still coming out & is about 4inch from the top of the dam wall.

davita

Todays Jakpost Business News page 13 Quote 'After hydro power, geothermal is slated to make the biggest contribution in the renewable energy expansion plan. Under the plan, geothermal power plants’ installed capacity is projected to increase nearly three-fold, to 4,926.5 MW from the current output of 1,403.5 MW, according to figures from the renewable energy directorate general. Due to its geographic position atop the “Ring of Fire”, the country sits astride abundant geothermal resources. However, the government has struggled to grow the sector as projects have stalled due to conservation area issues. Funding is also a challenge, as geothermal plants require high injections of capital and are high-risk, discouraging financial institutions from approving loans. Rida ('Mulyana'..Minister for Energy) has called on geothermal developers to redouble efforts and to dedicate time and resources to compiling data and statistics to bolster confidence.' unquote Do you think RI Government read this BaliPod? On the same page is another report.....in Central Sulawesi, PLN plan to build a biomass-fuelled 10 megawatt power station....burning native trees from a 20,000 hectare forest.:confused:

hinakos

Fred2 wroteBeen to the mud flow in Surabaya, the government was stung pretty bad, railway tracks had to be moved, toll road just closed & about 10 villages went under. The drilling company done a runner & left the government with the problem. The mud is still coming out & is about 4inch from the top of the dam wall.

The drilling company was owned my the "Bakery" family, the leader of which is one of SBYs right hand men. So in effect, is is totally incorrect to say the government was stung pretty bad. The government did its bit to protect the people who caused this disaster ( by completely ignoring NORMAL drilling practice to save $$ ) as those people are so deeply entrenched in government. The drilling company didn't do a runner, it went "bankrupt" despite the owner being one of the top 5 wealthiest people in Indonesia. The government at the time sequestered a drilling rig working independently for a non govt company in Maluku, Ambon, and ordered it directly to the disaster zone so try and fix the problem. That rig stayed there for nearly 6 months and was subsequently never properly paid either (and it was sequestered to work for the govt as a matter of national interest)!! The Australian company involved in this has since gone under. Most foreign drilling companies (onshore at least) are wary of ****e like this and hesitant to operate in Indo, this is another reason a lot of more technical geothermal drilling doesn't happen here. Geothermal drilling is not expensive, a rig is around 40K US a day. Once drilled and cased, the wells produce high pressure steam which drive turbines connected to generators......as opposed to blasting, digging, transporting, then burning coal to produce the same steam to drive the same turbine. The burning of this same coal also makes all the nasty stuff. Like another poster mentions.....there isn't much opportunity for fleecing steam. Also, that same family mentioned earlier owns most of the coal interests in the country. Not even a complete change of President can change this, these families are way to powerful. They have never left the seat of power here for the last 40 years.

Braveheart_shaped_box

#20 Absolutely spot on hinakos. Guess getting a job at the 'Bakery' is everyone's goal.

davita

My earlier point...[I]"So far no-one has convinced me that geothermal production, given proper safety considerations, would be more dangerous than coal, oil, gas mining or nuclear reactors." [/I] Seems I missed the obvious act of drilling for water... According to Jakpost today.... a man in Balikpapan was drilling an artesian well (60 mtrs) and struck a gas deposit which erupted as a mud flow. Dozens of soldiers had to evacuate the subdistrict residents to a dormitory.:icon_eek: