Gajah Baru gas to be delivered to West Java

By Godang Sitompul

The government has found a buyer for gas from the Gajah Baru field in Natuna operated by Premier Oil, and is currently processing the administrative requirements, according to Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Rudi Rubiandini.

?According to the report from Director General of Oil and Gas (Evita Legowoa), BPMIGAS has found a buyer, which is an industry in West Java. Now we?re working on the administration process,? Rudi told petromindo.com.

The Gajah Baru gas was initially dedicated for PLN?s Muara Tawar power plant in Bekasi, West Java. But the plan was never materialized due to the lack of pipeline capacity in the gas distribution network. The government has been forced to find buyers ever since.

Separately, Evita confirmed Rudi?s statement. ?From our part, (the decision) has been taken. It?s now in the process,? she said.

Previously, Premier has recently said that while discussions with potential buyers continue, Premier does not expect any gas to be delivered under this swap agreement in 2012.

Editing by Dadan Wijaksana