Release: EWC: May day holiday week-end incident

(05 May, 2010)--Shareholders are advised that a long running dispute between BPMIGAS, the local government and the People of Wajo Regency over gas revenue sharing, resulted in a May Day demonstration at the Sengkang gas plant.

The demonstrations were mainly peaceful and remained outside the gas plant, however a small group of protesters forced their way into the gas plant causing damage to the control room, the clinic and other facilities, and injuring one of our local staff.

Because the security of the gas plant had been compromised and staff safety could not be guaranteed, following instructions from local governmental officials and BPMIGAS, the processing and supply of gas from the Kampung Baru Gas Plant was temporarily suspended, pending receipt of the necessary assurances for staff safety and plant security.

We are pleased to announce that with the strong support of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Governor of South Sulawesi, the local police force and BPMIGAS, these assurances have now been received and gas processing and gas supply from Kampung Baru Gas Plant recommenced yesterday.

After 14 years of successful and unimpeded operations, the Company consider the incident to be unfortunate but isolated and wish to place on record their appreciation for the close co-operation and strong support received from the Indonesian Governmental and other officials. (end of release)