ExxonMobil confirms resumption gas operation
Thursday, July 19 2001 - 11:52 AM WIB
Company media-relations Deva Rahman in a statement said ExxonMobil had begun a phased resumption of gas production at one if its four gas fields ? cluster #2.
She said gas production is expected to be increased through a phased startup of operations and volumes will vary as we progress through our start-up procedures.
"Given the security concerns, we are still operating on a day to day basis," she said.
Officials from state-owned oil company Pertamina had said Wednesday that production had resumed, but the company wouldn't confirm this at the time.
The suspension halted exports of liquefied natural gas worth US$100 million a month, depriving Indonesia's cash-strapped government of much needed revenue. The government had repeatedly called on the company to resume operations.
Texas-based Exxon Mobil suspended its operations in Aceh in March when fighting intensified, triggering security fears for its staff and facilities.
Prior to the shutdown of operations in March, field production averaged approximately 1.6 billion cubic feet a day of gas and 30,000 barrels a day of liquids. (*)