Gas stations to supply LPG fuel

JAKARTA (JP): An LPG equipment and service provider, Bluefire Gas Ltd. from Australia, will invest A$10 million through its local partner for the construction of LPG dispenser pumps at 16 gas stations in the "green belt" area of Jakarta.

The memorandum of understanding for the project, which is to use Australian technology, was signed at City Hall on Friday by Deputy Governor for Development Affairs Budihardjo Sukmadi, a representative from Bluefire's local partner PT Prima Agas, Dian Teja Sumirat Hartley, and two gas station operators Hiswana Migas and M. Soemarsono.

Budihardjo said the project was needed in the capital to enhance the administration's Blue Sky program to help minimize air pollution.

The Australian Embassy said in a statement that only 1,200 vehicles, mostly in the city, had been converted to LPG fuel. The Blue Sky program plans to have 100,000 taxis converted from petrol to LPG by 2001.

According to Budihardjo, the 16 gas stations that are required to install LPG dispensers are some of the 32 gas stations illegally operating in the green belt area.

Nine of them installed LPG pumps from PT Otogas Karya Pratama in October 1996.

The seven others will have to shut down their businesses if they do not install LPG pumps. (ind)