Aceh's gas exports plunge 40% in first quarter

Aceh's oil and gas exports dropped by about 40 percent in the first quarter of this year to 1.54 million tons from 2.23 million tons during the same period last year.

Antara reported on Thursday that the plunge was mainly caused by the stoppage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the province during the three months period ending in March.

According to the data provided by the province's trade office, Aceh only exported two types of oil and gas commodities namely liquefied natural gas (LNG) and condensate. Last year, besides the two commodities, Aceh also exported LPG in the same period last year.

The value of the oil and gas exports during the three months period fell to US$410.7 million from 448.4 million in the same period, last year. The gas and oil were exported to Japan, South Korea, Australia and Singapore through Blang Lancang port in Lhokseumawe.

In January to March, 2001, Japan imported LNG of 761,529 tons worth $201,727 million, South Korea 647,440.5 tons of LNG worth $173.59 million, Australia 31,460 tons of condensate worth 8.38 million and Singapore 101,640 tons of condensate worth 27.09 million.

Aceh did not export any LPG during the three months period, probably due to the stoppage of the LNG Arun plant in the middle of March. But the halt in the Arun LNG plant had yet to affect the province's LNG period during the first quarter. (*)