Exxon Mobil, Arun NGL maintain normal operations amid separatists anniversary

Gas operation of US oil giant Exxon Mobil Inc. in Aceh remains normal today despite separatist group?s call for Aceh workers and government employees to stop their activities in observance of the group?s 26th anniversary, an official said Wednesday.

?Activities in Exxon Mobil gas fields and in Arun natural gas liquefaction (NGL) remain normal. Companies and contractors? workers are working normally. But employees are ordered not to take unnecessary traveling and are urged to adhere to standard operating procedures,? said Sidick Nitikusumah, a BP Migas senior official. BP Migas is Indonesia?s upstream authority.

Sidick said production from Exxon Mobil?s gas fields is at around 1.5 billion cubic feet per day, feeding Arun NGL?s four trains.

Aceh separatist movement, also known as GAM, has been fighting for independence since 1976. More than 10,000 people have been killed since then, some 1,200 this year alone. GAM had several times been accused of killing and kidnapping Exxon Mobil and Arun workers in Aceh.(godang)