PGN to speed up Sumatra-Java II gas pipeline project

The state owned gas distribution company Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) will speed up the completion of the second phase of the South Sumatra-West Java gas pipeline project to February 2007 from the initial schedule of October 2007.

PGN's president director WMP Simanjuntak said that when the second phase of the South Sumatra-West Java pipeline was completed, it would be able to transmit about 1 billion cubic feet of gas per day.

Simanjuntak said that the construction of the South Sumatra - West Java gas transmission project would be begun later this year to cope with the acute shortage of gas supply in Java.

The project would comprise of two phases; the first will be constructed from Pagar Dewa in Prabumulih regency, South Sumatra to Cilegon, West Java through Labuhan Merinngai, Lampung, with total length of 500 km, while the second will be built from Musi Banyuasin to Bekasi through Pagar Dewa, Labuhan Meringgai and Jakarta, with total length of about 661 km. (godang)