Grenade explodes in ExxonMobil?s Aceh gas field

A grenade exploded in ExxonMobil?s compound in the restive province of Aceh, but no casualty or damage reported, a company official said.

?A grenade launched from a grenade launcher exploded in Point A in Arun gas field at around 7 AM this morning,? said Deva Rachman, ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia (EMOI) spokesperson. Deva added that the company?s activity remained unaffected by the incident.

A Petromindo.Com source said that the grenade was most likely launched by rebel group Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

ExxonMobil-operated Arun gas field is a natural gas supplier to Aceh?s Arun natural gas liquefaction plant (NGL).

This was the first incident in ExxonMobil?s working area after Indonesian government launched massive military operations to quell the rebellion in the province three months ago.

In 2001, ExxonMobil shut down Arun gas field operations on fear due to increasing GAM's activities in company?s working area. (godang)