Pertagas Building Network Of Gas Pipes In Cikarang

Bekasi, W Java, Dec 22 (Antara) - PT Pertagas Niaga said it is building a network of natural gas pipes in the regency of Bekasi, West Java to supply gas for household consumers. The project is being carried out in cooperation with property company PT Jababeka, Jugi Prajugio, the president director of the subsidiary of the state oil and gas company PT Pertamina, said. "The plan is to reduce dependence on imports in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)," Jugi said here on Sunday. The country is still dependent on import for 60 percent of its LPG requirement, Jugi said. He said the cooperation with PT Jababeka is in the construction of the pipe infrastructure to supply gas to household consumers in Cikarang, in the regency of Bekasi. "We will build a network of gas pipes like the drinking water pipes built by the drinking water supply companies," he said. He said the project is already underway and it is expected to be completed in 2015. "Pertagas Niaga will supply natural gas for household consumers in the commercial area of Mandiri Jababeka industrial estate," he said. He estimated that 500,000 cubic meters of gas from a number of gas producers in West Java, would be distributed every month. President Director of PT Jababeka Infrastructure, Sutedja Sidarta Darmono, said he appreciates the cooperation offered by PT Pertagas. "We want to support the government`s program of converting oil into gas fuel," Sutedja said. The government has encouraged the use of non oil fuel to reduce dependence on oil. The country has become a net importer of oil with crude oil production averaging 800,000 barrels as against consumption of around 1.5 million barrels per day.