BP waiting for green light from environmental watchdog over Tangguh LNG project

Anglo-American energy giant BP Plc is awaiting for a green light from the Bapedalda environmental watchdog for the construction of the Tangguh LNG project in Papua province, according to BP Indonesia community development manager Erwin Maryoto.

Erwin said that approval for the so-called Amdal (environmental impact assessment) document is expected to be given in July.

He explained that once the approval had been given, BP would start relocating some 125 households of the Tanah Merah village in Babo district as the area would be transformed into refinery center.

Erwin said that the construction of the LNG refinery would start in 2003, and expected to be completed in three years time with an outlook that LNG production could start in 2006 and the first shipment in the same year

BP Indonesia is competing with two other bidders from Australia and Qatar to supply LNG to China?s Guangdon province starting 2006. BP?s LNG will come from the Tangguh project.(*)