Pertamina, BP asked to explain more about Tangguh LNG project

State oil and gas company Pertamina and BP have been asked to give further explanation to the government about their plan of developing a ?close camp? at their Tangguh LNG project in Tangguh, Papua Province, Neraca daily reported on Saturday.

The State Ministry of Environment made the request after examining the results of the Analysis Concerning Environmental Impact (AMDAL) jointly conducted by Pertamina and BP at their planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Tangguh, Neraca quoted the ministry as saying in a news release.

The ministry said it wanted to know more about Pertamina?s and BP?s planned close camp which they said as aiming to protect the local community.

Pertamina and BP recently made an AMDAL presentation at the State Ministry of Environment in which they revealed their integrated activities of exploiting gas, building LNG facilities, seaport, airport and housing complexes in Tangguh.

The ministry also wants to get further explanation about the dumping of soil and other materials when the companies prepare the LNG project site; the installing of gas pipes; the clearing of sago forests in the project area; and possible social conflicts between better developed communities who had surrendered their land for the project and other villagers.

Meanwhile, BP?s vice president for government and public affairs, Satya W. Yudha said on Friday the Tangguh close camp can be reached by air only because no roads leading to the project area will be built.

The absence of such roads is to avoid the development of economic centers near Tangguh LNG which would not automatically support the project, Satya added.

Pertamina and BP had planned to develop the Tangguh LNG project in 2003 and completion is expected for 2005.

They expect gas production to start from 2006 with the first export shipment commencing in the same year. (*)