New security plans for ExxonMobil gas field

New security plans for ExxonMobil gas field

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo
Yusgiantoro said on Wednesday that soldiers currently stationed
at the ExxonMobil gas field in Aceh would be redeployed to
perimeter duty to encourage the U.S.-based firm to resume
operations.

Purnomo claimed that the removal of the soldiers was at the
request of ExxonMobil.

"Currently soldiers are located inside the gas clusters. To
make the ExxonMobil employees feel comfortable about resuming
work, the troops must be placed outside the clusters," Purnomo
said.

"The soldiers, however, must secure the compound from any
disturbance while the employees perform their duties," the
minister told reporters after a meeting to discuss the suspension
of ExxonMobil's operations in Aceh.

Senior government and military officials attended the meeting.
However, no ExxonMobil officials were present.

Those attending the meeting at the Ministry of Defense
included Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo A.S.,
TNI Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago, deputy
minister for political, social and security affairs in charge of
security affairs Ilyas Yusuf and state oil and gas company
president Pertamina Baihaki Hakim.

ExxonMobil last month suspended operations in Aceh over
security concerns. The decision forced other major companies in
the area, such as PT Arun NGL Co., to follow suit.

The TNI has dispatched three battalions to guard ExxonMobil's
gas fields. An Army cavalry unit has also been dispatched to
guard security posts, gas installation sites and clusters of
state gas company PT Arun NGL Co.

Purnomo said ExxonMobil had asked the government to secure its
facilities, both in and outside of the clusters, including a 30-
kilometer gas pipeline in North Aceh.

"Securing the pipeline is very important since it connects the
gas fields in Lhoksukon to Arun's refinery, fertilizer producing
company Asia Fertilizer and to paper producing company Kraft
Papers," Purnomo pointed out.

Purnomo also said ExxonMobil had called on the government to
ensure the security of employees, including their daily commute
to the compound and their residences.

After examining the requests set forth by ExxonMobil, Purnomo
said the government felt "there will be no (need for)
reinforcements".

Despite these conditions no date has yet been set for the
resumption of operations, since "it will totally depend on
developments there".

"In the near future, the government will establish joint posts
with the TNI, National Police, Ministry of Energy and Mineral
Resources and other related ministries to monitor the fields and
prepare anything required for when the firm resumes operation,"
Purnomo said.

"I also explained to the TNI chief that incidents and security
disturbances in the area would affect production activities at
ExxonMobil," Purnomo said.

When asked about the TNI chief's response, Purnomo said: "Pak
Widodo responded positively and admitted that the ExxonMobil case
has impacted Indonesian foreign affairs."

However, a series of attacks by alleged Free Aceh Movement
(GAM) rebels continued to rock the industrial regency of North
Aceh.

"The latest blitz took place at police and military
subdistrict offices in Jeunib on Tuesday," spokesman for the
police's Cinta Meunasah II Operation, Adj. Sr. Comr. Sad
Harunantyo, said in a report made available to The Jakarta Post.

The rebels reportedly used mortars to attack the two posts at
about 6 a.m. on Tuesday. No casualties were reported.

At about 11 p.m. on Tuesday, another attack occurred at the
Peusangan Military subdistrict office in North Aceh.

"The attackers missed as they fired from across the river, and
the mortar exploded behind the Peusangan Military dormitory.
Security officers chased the assailants, but to no avail," the
officer said.(edt/02)