Environment Ministry to soon release assessment over Tangguh LNG project

State Ministry of Environment will soon decide on whether BP Indonesia can go ahead with its project of constructing LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant in Tangguh, Papua Province.

?We will soon release the results of our studies,? State Minister of Environment Nabiel Makarim told Petromindo.com on Tuesday.

The ministry is examining the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment (ANDAL) on Tangguh which was jointly conducted by BP Indonesia and state oil and gas firm Pertamina. They submitted the ANDAL document to the ministry a few months ago.

According to existing rulings, the ministry will issue a document whether to accept or reject the ANDAL document. BP and Pertamina can go ahead with their project only if the document is accepted.

Earlier, BP?s executives said the ministry might release the results of its studies over the ANDAL document no later than July of this year.

BP has planned to construct the Tangguh LNG facility in 2003 and completion is expected for 2005. The outlook is that the plant will start producing LNG in 2006 with the first export shipment to commence in the same year.

Tangguh has 14.4 trillion cubic fee of proven gas reserve. (Godang)