Ministers plan visit ExxonMobil?s gas fields in Aceh

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro is planning to visit again the gas fields operated by ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc in Lhok Sukon, Aceh to see the progress of the preparatory works carried out by the company to resume the operation of the gas fields.

Purnomo said he would visit the fields together with Coordinating Minister of Social, Political and Security Affairs Agum Gumelar and the Indonesian military (TNI) chief Admiral Widodo AS.

?We?ll hold a meeting this afternoon to talk about the visit,? Purnomo told Petromindo. Com via telephone Tuesday morning when asked about the timeframe of the visit.

Purnomo last visited ExxonMobil?s gas fields in April, several weeks after ExxonMobil suspended its operation in the province due to the persistent harassment allegedly caused by the local rebel group, which is popularly known as GAM. During the visit, the choppers carrying the minister and journalists was fired upon by unidentified gunmen, but the incident caused no casualties.

ExxonMobil?s move forced nearby PT Arun NGL to stop its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and exports to Japan and South Korea.

After months of suspension, ExxonMobil agreed two weeks ago to resume its gas operation in the area and it is now doing preparatory works for the resumption of the operation.

Purnomo also said he had cancelled his visit to China to talk with the country?s government on its plan to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The Chinese government has planned to buy an annual 3 million tons of LNG and hold an international tender for the purpose. Indonesia is among countries interested to participate in the tender.

Expert staff for the economic and financial affairs to the minister Kardaya Warnika earlier told Petromindo that that Purnomo planned to visit the country from Monday to Friday this week. (Godang)