National gas policy being drafted

By Bambang Atmadja

The government is drafting a new national gas policy as part of efforts to help meet growing demand in the country.

Vice Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Susilo Siswoutomo said on Friday that the ministry, and other related ministries are currently in discussions with state-controlled gas distribution firm PGN, state-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina, state-owned electricity firm PLN, and other industry stakeholders to map out the gas supply sources including coal bed methane and biomass.

Gas demand in regions across Indonesia will also be mapped out, to design the necessary gas infrastructure development.

?So later, there will be a map of supply, a map of clusters of demand, then, we will match them with infrastructure facilities that must be built,? he said, adding that the gas roadmap is expected to be completed this year.

?The government has the obligation to provide gas to meet demand. If supply (from domestic) sources is not sufficient, we will import it,? he said.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak