Explosion hits ExxonMobil gas field in Aceh

An explosion, believed to be caused by a bomb attack by local rebels, hit the gas fields owned by ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc in Aceh Monday morning.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro confirmed the bomb explosion.

Purnomo told Petromindo, the bomb exploded in the Jangka Gajah village of Lhoksukon district close to the Point A gas field owned by ExxonMobil.

The extent of the damage was not immediately known, Purnomo said, adding the incident would not result in ExxonMobil's delaying its gas re-operations plan, which was scheduled for mid July.

ExxonMobil officials were not available for comment.

ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia, a unit of American energy giant ExxonMobil Corp. was forced to shut down its gas operation in Arun fields in March due to worsening security conditions in Aceh, where separatist rebels have been fighting for independence for decades. (Alex/godang)