Indonesia Regulates Gross Split Production Sharing Contracts for Conventional and Non-Conventional Oil and Gas

By Fransiscus Rodyanto

The Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) on January 13, 2017 issued Regulation No. 08 of 2017 regarding Gross Split Production Sharing Contracts (MEMR Reg. 8/2017), which came into force on January 16, 2017.

The main features of MEMR Reg. 8/2017 are as follows:

Gross Split PSC

MEMR Reg. 8/2017 regulates a type of oil and gas cooperation contract called a gross split production sharing contract (Gross Split PSC). Gross Split PSC applies for both conventional and non-conventional oil and gas.

The Government of Indonesia previously introduced gross split (sliding scale) production sharing contracts for non-conventional oil and gas under MEMR Regulation No. 38 of 2015 regarding Expediting Non-Conventional Oil and Gas Operations (MEMR Reg. 38/2015).

Unlike MEMR Reg. 8/2017, however, MEMR Reg. 38/2015 did not provide adequate elaboration on the implementation of gross split (sliding scale) production sharing contracts. All provisions under MEMR Reg. 38/2015 regarding gross split (sliding scale) production sharing contracts have been revoked and replaced by MEMR Reg. 8/2017.

Gross Split PSC is defined by MEMR Reg. 8/2017 as a production sharing contract in the upstream oil and gas sector based on the principle of gross production split without a cost-recovery mechanism. This type of cooperation contract shall be used for any oil and gas working area whose term of cooperation contract will expire and is not extended. However, any cooperation contracts signed prior to the stipulation of MEMR Reg. 8/2017 (i.e., January 13, 2017) shall remain valid until the expiry of the relevant contract.

Contractors may propose to change cooperation contracts (i) whose term has expired and that have been granted an approval for extension, or (ii) that were signed prior to the stipulation of MEMR Reg. 8/2017 to Gross Split PSCs. If this is done, all operating costs that have been incurred and have not been recovered may be calculated as an addition to the contractor's share.

Gross Split PSC Calculation

Oil and gas production shared between the government and the contractor under a Gross Split PSC is based on a pre-determined base split, i.e., 57%-43% respectively for crude oil and 52%-48% respectively for natural gas. This base split shall be used as a reference in stipulating production sharing when a plan of development is approved and can be adjusted according to variable components and progressive components.

If the calculation of the commerciality of a field or a number of fields does not reach a certain economic level, the contractor may receive an additional share of production of up to 5%. On the other hand, if the commerciality exceeds a certain economic level, the contractor may have to relinquish up to 5% of its share to the government.

The sharing of oil and gas production between the government and the contractor shall be determined by the MEMR for a plan of development for the first field, while for subsequent fields, the split shall be determined by the head of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities, known as SKK Migas.

If there is a difference between the variable components and progressive components for any field's plan of development and the actual conditions, production sharing shall be adjusted based on the actual conditions after commercial production. This shall include adjusting the calculation of the progressive component based on crude oil price, which shall be done on a monthly basis pursuant to the relevant calculation of the Indonesian crude oil price.

The government's revenue in a Gross Split PSC consists of (a) the government's shares, (b) bonuses, (c) the contractor's income tax and (d) indirect taxes. The contractor's revenue shall be based on the percentage of gross production after deducting income tax. Operating costs incurred by the contractor may be calculated as a deduction of the contractor's income tax.

SKK Migas Will No Longer Approve Budget Plan

Since the Gross Split PSC does not contain any cost-recovery mechanism, SKK Migas will only provide its approval of the work plans submitted annually by contractors and not the budget plans, which SKK Migas approves for conventional production sharing contracts with a cost-recovery mechanism. Budget plans submitted by contractors shall only be used as supporting data for evaluating work plans.

Previous Provisions that Remain Applicable

MEMR Reg. 8/2017 stipulates several obligations that are also contained in conventional production sharing contracts. These are (i) the obligation for contractors to deliver 25% of their oil and gas production share for domestic needs, commonly known as the domestic market obligation (DMO); (ii) the prioritization of Indonesian manpower and domestic goods, services, technology, engineering and construction; and (iii) the utilization of petroleum data.

In addition, MEMR Reg. 8/2017 provides that provisions on procedures for the preparation, stipulation and offer of an oil and gas work area, firm commitments, work commitments, guarantees, the relinquishment and returning of work areas, unitization, 10% participating interest, bonuses and post-operation activities, including the reservation of post-operation activities funds, that are applicable to a conventional production sharing contract remain applicable for a Gross Split PSC.

MEMR Reg. 8/2017 further reaffirms that, although the Gross Split PSC does not implement any cost-recovery mechanism, all land, goods and equipment purchased by a contractor and directly used in upstream oil and gas business activities shall become the property of the state.

Conclusion