RI, JAPAN DISCUSS MASELA, SENORO GAS MEGA PROJECTS

Jakarta, Nov 23 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Japan here on Monday discussed the natural gas mega projects to be located in Masela, Southwest Maluku (MBD), and in Senoro, Central Sulawesi.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh said the meeting here Monday discussed the continuation of the two projects.

Speaking to reporters after he had opened the meeting, Darwin said Indonesia and Japan wanted to discuss efforts to speed up the Masela and Senoro projects.

Meanwhile, Japanese Energy and Mineral Resources spokesman Takayuki Ueda said the continuation of the two mega projects in Masela and Senoro was important for the two countries.

"We hope the two mega projects can be continued in accordance with the relevant contracts," Takayuki said.

He said the two projects had good economic prospects for both Indonesia and Japan.

"Several companies will join the projects which will be started soon," he added.

Meanwhile, Darwin said the large gas field would developed to produce gas for export and the small field to yield gas to meet domestic need.

"But the most important thing for us is that both the large and small fields can operate well for other energy sectors," Darwin said, adding that Indonesia would consistently maintain a healthy business climate by prioritizing the national interest.

Commenting on the Masela gas project, Darwin said he was waiting for the results of a study by an independent consultant on whether the liquefied natural gas (LNG) rig in Masela would be built on land or at sea.

"Both options have advantage and disadvantageous sides," he said.

Energy and Mineral Resources Director General for Oil and Gas Evita Legowo said the outcome of the study by the independent consultant would be included in Maseal's fist plan of development (POD).

"If the result of the study says that the gas rig will be constructed on land or different from the first POD which says the rig will be floating, then the operator should follow the recommendation of the independent consultant," Legowo said.