LNG exports from Arun plunges as armed conflicts continue in Aceh

Exports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from the Aceh-based LNG producer Arun NGL Co showed a 35 percent decline in the first semester of this year to 7,660,752 metric tons (61 tankers) from 11,774,248 tons (94 tankers) in the same period, last year, Suara Karya reported on Monday.

The shipment of LGP and condensate from the Arun LNG plant also suffered a sharp decline due to continued armed conflicts between the security forces and the pro-independence movement in the province.

Exports of LPG fell by 82 percent to 23,656 tons in the January-June, this year from 120,633 tons in the same period, last year. The condensate exports also declined by 80 percent to 47,656 metric tons in the first semester this year from 246,141 tons in the same semester of last year.

According to the state owned port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo), the exports of other commodities from the troubled province also recorded a sharp decline. In total, the exports from the province dropped 35 percent in the second semester as compared to the previous semester. (*)