Arun's LNG exports reach 169 million tons

JAKARTA (JP): PT Arun LNG Co in North Aceh has exported at least 169 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) since its first shipment in 1978, Antara reported yesterday.

The company's vice manager Ariffi Nawawi said in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, after its 3,000th shipment ceremony Sunday, that most of the LNG was exported to Korea and Japan.

The 3,000th shipment was carried by the LNG Libra, which shipped the LNG to Senboku Terminal in Osaka, Japan.

"This shipment adds to Indonesia's LNG exports of over 6,000 shipments," he said. He also said Indonesia's 6,000th LNG shipment was conducted by the Badak LNG plant in Bontang, East Kalimantan, last month.

Ariffi said the Arun plant exported 11.3 million tons of LNG to South Korea last year.

According to the Korea Gas Corporation, South Korea needs 10 million tons of LNG annually, of which 70 percent is from Indonesia. The remaining 30 percent comes from neighboring Malaysia, Brunei and Australia.

Indonesia, the world's largest LNG producer -- with two LNG refineries in Arun, Aceh, and Bontang, Kalimantan -- produced 25.65 million tons of LNG last year, which was exported to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

With an expansion in capacity at the Bontang refinery and new discoveries of gas reserves in Natuna and Irian Jaya, Indonesia expects to increase its export of LNG to 27 million tons per year in 2003.

Last year, Arun's LNG production capacity was 68,753 cubic meters per day, LPG Propane was 2,950 cubic meters per day and LPG Butane was 2,785 cubic meters per day, with condensate at an average 79,665 cubic meters per day.

Arun has won the 12th Sword of Honor from the British Safety Council for its achievements in plant safety, and won the Fifth Star Award from the same institution. (08)