ExxonMobil resumes Cluster III Aceh gas operations

US oil, gas giant ExxonMobil Corp. had resumed operations in its Cluster III gas field in the troubled province of Aceh which had been shut down since March this year due to security reasons, according to a senior official from state oil and gas firm Pertamina.

Siddick Nitikusumah, Pertamina spokesperson told Petromindo.com Monday that Cluster III had resumed operations on Friday night.

Cluster III is the last of the four gas fields re-operated after ExxonMobil resumed gas production in Cluster I, II and IV in early October. Another ExxonMobil?s gas producing field in Aceh is the North Sumatra Offshore (NSO).

ExxonMobil confirmed Siddick?s statement but warned of possible technical disruption.

?We have resumed operations in Cluster III, but, in order to make sure that production operations are stabilized, we have prepared measures for anticipating occasional production interruption due to mechanical difficulties,? Julia Tumengkol, ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia?s spokesperson told Petromindo.com.

?This is a normal situation in the restart of a production operations facilities that has been closed for a prolonged period, ? added Julia.

ExxonMobil suspended its operation in March following a number of attacks from the alleged members of the GAM separatist group in the province. The company resumed partial gas operations in August after the government-mobilized soldiers to protect the gas fields.

ExxonMobil, however, again temporarily suspended Cluster I and II operations in September 22 due to fire.

ExxonMobil?s Aceh gas fields feed the entire need of natural gas liquefaction plant Arun NGL that exports LNG to Japan and Korea. (godang)