Faisal Abda'oe resigns from Natuna agency

Faisal Abda'oe, former president of state oil and gas firm, on Monday tendered his resignation from the Natuna Development and Management Agency because of his health reasons.

Faisal reported his decision to President Abdurrahman Wahid at the presidential office, accompanied by Pertamina president Baihaki Hakim and Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Baihaki said that they also reported to the President about current development in the multi-billion Natuna gas project.

The President, Baihaki said, ordered Pertamina, the agency and all related parties to review the project, especially the follow up measures to sell gas from the Natuna Alpha D project, currently managed by Exxon Mobil Corp. of the United States

"We have to think about marketing (Natuna gas) for the next 10 years," Baihaki said. "For now, I think, it is still difficult to sell it."

He added that Pertamina and all related parties were now studying all alternatives to be implemented for Natuna following the expire of the current contract with Exxon Mobil in 2004.

"Whether the contract will be extended, or whether the contract will just expire and then be re-tendered, all those things are still being studied," he said. (*)