BPH Migas to auction Muara Bekasi-Cirebon pipeline next week

Oil and gas downstream regulatory body BPH Migas will officially auction off the project to construct a 220-km gas pipeline linking Muara Bekasi and Cirebon in West Java next week, Kontan reported Monday.

Trijono, a BPH Migas senior official, said in Jakarta Saturday that all the preparation for the tender had been completed, and those interested in taking part in the tender could submit their application from February 11 to 15.

The term and conditions would among others require bidders to acquire lands measuriang 9 meters wide and 220 kilometers long for the pipeline, he said, adding that the pipeline could be also laid along the existing railway as long as it is installed at least 1.75 meters below the land's surface.

According to him, although the tender has yet to officially open, three bidders that is PT Adhi Karya, PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN), and PT Bakrie and Brothers have registered to join the bidding.

If there are no more companies submitting their applications during the registration period, the tender will go ahead as the three bidders are enough for the tender to become valid, he said.

BPH Migas is targeting the completion of the Muara Bekasi-Cirebon pipeline project by 2010. The project will be part of the country's integrated gas pipelines which will connect gas producers in Kalimantan and Sumatra and industrial users in Java. (*)