DOMESTIC NEED PRIORITIZED IN USE OF HOME-PRODUCED GAS

Jakarta, Nov 30 (ANTARA) - The government prioritize domestic need in the use of natural gas produced in the country following inter-departmental discussions on revision of the gas balance, a minister said.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Saleh said here on Monday that gas produced in the country would in the first place be used to meet domestic need for energy including power plants and improvement of oil products.

"After that, gas will be used for fertilizer factories and then for other industries," the energy and mineral resources minister said.

Darwin said the use of gas to meet domestic need had been stipulated in the existing law and regulations.

According to the minister, the revision of the gas balance was being discussed by the ministries of energy and mineral resources (ESDM), Finance, Economy, and State Enterprises (BUMN).

He said that through the gas balance, the areas with natural gas deficit and surplus would be known.

"Hence, we can make a decision to accelerate the production of gas field and strengthen the domestic supply," Darwin said, adding that gas balance of 2008-2020 period was the revision of 2007-2015 period.

Darwin said that in the gas balance of 2007-2015 which was nationally divided into 11 areas, there was a deficit of 477.6 Million Metric Standard Cubic Feet per Day (MMSCFD).