Rigzone Ranks the Top 10 Oil & Gas Cities in the World

Rigzone Ranks the Top 10 Oil & Gas Cities in the World

Jakarta has been the capital of Indonesia since the country gained independence in 1950.

The Big Durian, as Indonesians call Jakarta (inspired by the South East Asian fruit), is a well-earned nickname for the city. Although half the size of New York and with more than 10 million people, it is still the most populous city in Southeast Asia and the 13th most populated city in the world.

Energy Impact

Indonesia is located where the Australian, Pacific and Southeast Asian tectonic plates meet. Most major petroleum discoveries in Indonesia have been associated with Tertiary-era sediments or, locally, with either basement or Tertiary volcanic phenomena.

A one-time OPEC member, Indonesia – the world's fourth most-populous country with almost 240 million people – remains heavily dependent on petroleum. Its economy saw primary energy consumption increase by more than 50 percent during the last decade.

The country has 60 sedimentary basins. Thirty-six of these in the mature west have been well explored, with 14 currently producing oil and gas. In the under-explored east, 39 Tertiary and Pre-Tertiary basins show strong potential for hydrocarbons.

Jakarta is a well-placed base for the Indonesian oil industry and its workers since it is located on the northwest of Java – an island that is proximate to the key oil and gas producing regions of Sumatra, the Java Sea and East Kalimantan. Approximately three-quarters of the country's exploration and production activity are in western Indonesia.

As well as the state-owned energy company PT Pertamina, a number of international oil and gas companies operate in the country. Majors with upstream activities in Indonesia include BP plc, Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Total S.A., while China National Offshore Oil Corp. and South Korea's Korea National Oil Corp. are two national oil companies involved in the country's upstream sector.

Indonesia is the eighth-largest gas producer in the world, with proven reserves of 108 trillion cubic feet in 2010. These gas reserves are approximately three times the size of the country's oil reserves, according to PwC.

In January, Indonesia said that 74 contractors are expected to invest around $23.5 billion in production and exploration in the country during 2013. Approximately $14.7 billion will be earmarked for production activities, such as Total's South Mahakam block in East Kalminatan and ConocoPhillips' Sumpal field in South Sumatra, while $5 billion will be used in development projects. Nearly $2.3 billion is forecast to be spent on exploration.

More recently, in March, Indonesia awarded 14 new oil and gas exploration blocks to several companies, including Japan's Inpex Corp. and UK independent Premier Oil.

City Highlights

Jakarta has something for everyone. A wide selection of more than 200 bars and clubs are distributed across the city, while there are more than 800 restaurants that are regularly used by visitors to the capital.

Foreigners know Indonesian cuisine for its spiciness and a few of the country's national dishes such as satay are world famous. However, visitors to Jakarta will be able to sample a wide range of Indonesian food. The country is made up of approximately 6,000 populated islands meaning many regional dishes exist.

The city also hosts several prestigious arts and culture festivals, including Jakarta Fashion Week and the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival. The Jakarta Fair, a trade fair held annually from mid-June to mid-July, features a variety of entertainment including performances from local musicians.

Most of Jakarta's landmarks and monuments were built in the 1960s, but for those with an interest in the more-distant past there is the Batavia Stadhuis in the city's Old Town district. This was built by the Dutch in 1710 and it has served as the home of the Jakarta History Museum since 1974.

 


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WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

Diego Pimentel  |  April 06, 2015
The only city on the list that may be higher than Houston is Dubai.
Steve  |  April 08, 2014
I believe the point of the article was highlighting the favorite cities for O&G, as in best places to live and work. Not sure why Houston would make the top ten then. Wasnt meant to be the biggest O&G cities. No offense, but the only people that want to live in Houston are Houstons.
Shawn  |  July 05, 2013
I think people are missing the point, its not saying by the numbers, its a 360 of living/working there.
Guy From Aus  |  July 03, 2013
The article says favourite O&G city, so I guess this is just popularity contest. Houston still number one for sure. Aberdeen and London right up there too.
Jamie  |  May 22, 2013
I agree with Robert. Houston still remains the #1 O&G city when you look at the numbers. Its great that other cities are getting a "piece of the pie". As for CP, he needs to do a little more research
Eric  |  May 21, 2013
Hello? Odessa
Deneen  |  May 20, 2013
Actually, Denver is know for its upcoming Oil and Gas Prospects, so it does not surprise as they are probably in a hiring state of mind and thus are reaching out to Houston to find the quality of expertise they need to cultivate and grow bigger in Oil and Gas... Hands down... the UK and Houston for the USA has the experts in the field and who cares if your city is better smelling... Houston and the GOM smells like Money to me :-)
DJ basin  |  May 12, 2013
Having lived in both Houston and Denver, they both have pluses and minuses. Houston is an oil and gas capital like NYC, London, Frankfurt, etc are to finance. If you want opportunity for growth, Houston will probably offer more. Denver has great opportunities for skiing, and hiking if you want to wander to the mountains. Denver gets unpredictable snow storms especially in spring and temperatures can swing day to day by 40-50 degrees F sometimes when cold fronts come in. Colorado has the US highest incidence of skin cancer so make sure to wear sunblock since the sun is intense here in summer. Houston does have a lot of running and biking clubs (MS150 anyone?) and beaches if you want to go to Galveston or wander down to Corpus Christi... Houston is hot and humid in summer which may be uncomfortable but good for your skin my wife tells me. Also the heat I guess is why A/C got invented. Houston is only a few hours away from Austin and San Antonio if you want to go to hill country. Both cities are good for meeting people as a lot of people have moved in from other places, but Houston is much more diverse and international than Denver (with direct flights to Europe). Last month when I flew to London, we went through Houston ironically. If your not in oil and gas and a dual career couple though, Denver is a tougher job market than Houston. One of my co-workers quit last month and I know of multiple couples that move to Houston because Denver lacks job opportunities for a trailing spouse / other non-engineering professionals. Traffic can suck in both Denver and Houston. I take light rail in Denver and took the express buses in Houston -either place if you can ride public transport, take advantage of it. Anyway, I like both places but they do have pluses and minuses to consider. [I really like Calgary too and was glad to see it as #2 as I have relatives and vacationed there a couple summers ago.]
Robert Patlovany  |  May 07, 2013
Maybe some comments writers didnt actually read the story very carefully. Houston still dominates the world oil and gas business scene. This article is simply a popularity pole of important oil and gas towns. For example, "Im not sure how Denver beat out Houston for the U.S. Just seems crazy." It is crazy if you take this article as anything but a popularity pole result. Houston still rules the oil and gas business with no close second place.
cp  |  May 07, 2013
whats not to love? Business is booming and the quality of life is sooooo much better than Houston. People actually walk outside here and there is clean air. Take that Houston!
prince  |  May 06, 2013
I am surprised, London is not in top 10. All major operators and EPC contract ors are based here.
Rob C  |  May 06, 2013
Way to go Denver!!!
Oilman  |  May 06, 2013
Denver is a big up and coming city in oil and gas with great growth prospects and its a great place to live.
Bill Leake  |  May 06, 2013
Thats both flattering and a "been there, done that" assessment. Denver has had--as I recall--three prior oil booms--and busts--in just the 50 years Ive lived here. It would be nice if we dont again go through the predictable, "Please, God, give me another oil boom and I wont piss this one away!" Its both amusing and off-putting to observe the usual scenario of buying Gulfstreams, monstrous (ostentatious) houses and profoundly gauche "bling" and then filing for bankruptcy seemingly only months later. Variety may be the spice of life but its monotony that brings home the bacon.
Fred Price  |  May 06, 2013
I love Pittsburgh, PA. Well get to #1
Ben  |  May 03, 2013
Houston is the energy capitol of the world. Period.
Trevor  |  May 03, 2013
Denver beat Houston because Houston is awful!
Luba  |  May 03, 2013
everyone knows Calgary is the centre of the world....
james  |  May 03, 2013
I am not a big fan of Houston at all, but Im not sure how Denver beat out Houston for the U.S. Just seems crazy

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