Japan invited to develop dimethyl ether (DME) fuel

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiatoro has invited Japanese companies to develop dimethyl ether (DME) fuel as an alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Bisnis Indonesia daily reported on Saturday.

Speaking at the fifth Indonesia-Japan Energy Round Table held in Jakarta on Thursday, Minister Purnomo said that the development of DME fuel in Indonesia would be quite promising, given the country's huge gas deposits.

"DME which is produced under gas liquefaction technology can be used as diesel fuel or alternative to LPG," the minister said.

In the meeting, the minister also called the Japanese companies to further involve in Indonesia's energy projects. "Indonesia won't doubt to cooperate with Japan because in the field of oil and gas, the two countries have known each other for quite long time," he said.

Purnomo also explained that Indonesia, which is now among the world's major liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers, would also continue to increase its share in the world's LNG market to take the advantage of the growing demand of the LNG in the world.

"To achieve this goal, Indonesia will further increase its LNG production," he added.(*)