PT Arun will fully operate its six LNG plants

The Aceh-based liquefied natural gas producer PT Arun Natural Gas Liquefaction & CO plans to fully operate its six LNG plants to enable it to meet higher demand from its main buyers South Korea and Japan next year, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Monday.

"The government and Pertamina are optimistic that next year?s export target of 115 shipments could be met by activating the two idle trains (LNG production units). So all the six trains can be operated," Vice President Director of PT Arun NGL & Co, T. Fachruddin said

He said that PT Arun?s LNG export reached 113 shipments this year, more than the initial target of 109 shipments thanks to additional orders Japan. "This year?s last shipment or the 3,700th shipment since the operation of the company in 1978 was launched in a special ceremony on Sunday," he said.

According to him, the higher than expected export volume this year was due to additional orders from the company?s main buyers South Korea and Japan which required four additional shipments in 2002. PT Arun were able fulfill the target despite the continued armed conflicts in the province. (*)