Impact of Bali attack on oil and gas investment insignificant: Purnomo

Minister of Energy and Mineral resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro on Tuesday played down the effect of Bali bombing on Indonesian upstream oil, and gas investment saying the impact would be insignificant.

"Oil, and gas investment is long-term investment, I'm confident that the impact will be insignificant. Beside, thus far, all oil and gas companies are operating normally. No expatriate workers are evacuated or leaving Indonesia," Purnomo told reporters.

Purnomo also pointed out to the fact that thus far, none of Indonesian oil and gas project is actually attacked.

Purnomo, however, said that government is tightening security on oil and gas projects on intelligence reports that terrorists are targeting vital energy projects in Indonesia.

"Cabinet meeting yesterday decided that threat to energy projects in Indonesia are real and government would focus its efforts to secure those places.

"I'm optimistic with close coordination between the government, security apparatus and contractors, we would be able to avoid threats." (godang)