Fuel consumption in 2002 lower than projected

Domestic fuel consumption in the whole year of 2002 is estimated to amount to 52.69 million kiloliters, down from 52.77 million kiloliters initially planned by the government, state oil and gas company Pertamina said on Monday.

?Pertamina has succeeded to control the marketing and distribution of fuel,? said Pertamina president director Baihaki Hakim.

Pertamina had also succeeded to keep down fuel supply loss in 2002, from the anticipated 0.5 percent of total supply volume to an estimated 0.25 percent, Baihaki told reporters.

Baihaki said the 0.5 percent was valued at Rp746 billion (US$=Rp8.900). (godang)