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)