Natural gas deposits in Aceh will deplete by 2008

ExxonMobil?s gas reserves at gas fields in Aceh are only about 2,897.4 billion standard cubic feet (BSCF) at present. The reserves will deplete by the year 2008, if no new oil reserves are found, according to a source at the ministry of energy and mineral resources.

A senior official at Pertamina had also made a similar statement earlier but it was later denied by A. Sidick Nitikusumah, the head for the general affairs at the state oil and gas company?s directorate for production sharing management.

"The statement on the depletion of the gas reserves in Aceh is not totally true. The purchase contract agreement will end in 2008 but it could be extended if the production is still possible,? said the chairman of the team for the reoperation of ExxonMobil.

ExxonMobil?s public affairs Julia Tumengkol confirmed that ExxonMobil would operate in Aceh until the next 10 years although the company had extended the contract until 2017. ?But she said she was not in position to explain the reason.

Sidick acknowledged that the gas reserves at ExxonMobil?s fields are estimated to reach about 2,897.4 billion standard cubic feet at present. ?But the shortfall before the next 10 years is too speculative. There is a possibility to find new gas deposits,? he added.(*)