PT Arun still operates normally despite security concern

PT Arun NGL Co, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer based in North Aceh still continues to operate normally despite a growing concern over the worsening of the security situation in the troubled province especially in area near it operation site, DetikCom reported on Tuesday,

The company's director Sunardi said that although the uncertainty had yet to affect the day to day operation, the company remained in a full alert for a further escalation of the armed conflicts between the pro-independent movement (GAM) and the government's security force.

He acknowledged that PT Arun's LNG production was expected to drop to 116 shipments (about 125,000 cubic meters per shipment) next year from 117 shipments at present. Sunardi said that the drop in the production was caused by the decline in order, not due to the uncertainty in security situation.

Sunardi also denied reports that most of the company's workers had fled to Medan on fears of a further escalation of the armed conflicts between GAM members and the security force.

The Arun personnel worked normally but some of their families had fled the area to Medan and Jakarta waiting for a further development, he admitted.

PT Arun NGL, located in some 14 kilometres from Lhokseumawe, North Aceh or about 274 kilometers from the provincial capital Banda Aceh began its first LNG production in early 1980s. (*)