PT Medco Energi Internasional (MedcoEnergi) reported first gas production from Meliwis Field on July 13 in its working area in Madura offshore, East Java, four years since the field’s discovery in Mundu Formation in 2016.

CEO of Indonesian oil and gas company MedcoEnergi Roberto Lorato noted in a statement here on Monday that the company had completed development of the Meliwis gas field despite hindrance in the distribution of logistics in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The field has used unmanned platforms and a 11-kilometer underwater pipeline to supply up to 20 MMCFD of natural gas to the industry in East Java.

"This is testament to MedcoEnergi’s capability to operate and maintain its sustainable commitment to all stakeholders," he stated.

President Director of MedcoEnergi Hilmi Panigoro earlier stated that the oil and gas company had witnessed a drop in demand owing to the COVID-19 pandemic though concurrently oil and gas production had risen.

"We are facing a challenging time. The swift declining demand for energy amid the increased production of oil is a challenge for the industry," he noted.

Nonetheless, MedcoEnergi will continue to support the government to maintain the nation’s energy supply.