Update: ExxonMobil says thus far no plan to evacuate staff from Aceh

ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia (EMOI) said on Tuesday that thus far, it has no plan to evacuate staff from Aceh despite the declaration of martial law in the restive province.

" There has been no impact on ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc. (EMOI) gas production operations in Aceh since the declaration of martial law on May19. EMOI is concerned and is carefully monitoring the security situation on a day-to-day basis. We will take steps appropriate to the situation but have no plans to evacuate personnel from Aceh at this time,? said company spokesperson Deva Rachman.

?The safety and security of EMOI's personnel are a paramount concern for management.The current production rate at EMOI operated facilities in Aceh is approximately 1.6 billion cubic feet of gas per day and 25,000 barrels of condensate per day,? she added.

EMOI is a subsidiary of US oil giant ExxonMobil Corp.

EMOI had shut down its Aceh operation for months in 2001 due to security concern, halting natural gas supply to Arun LNG.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Monday the government had increased security at Exxon Mobil's plant in Aceh.

Indonesia's military Tuesday sent more paratroopers into Aceh in a massive offensive to destroy separatist rebels after peace talks in Tokyo during the weekend failed. (alex)