Indonesia May Begin Gas Imports by 2019

Indonesia could begin importing natural gas as early as 2019, a senior official said Wednesday.

Agus Cahyono Adi, Director of Oil and Gas Development Program of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, said about half of Indonesia’s gas output is exported but without new natural gas resources the country could become a gas importer in 2019, Tempo.co, a new portal reported.

"Indonesia must import natural gas in 2019 based on our prediction," Agus said during the Gas Indonesia Summit and Exhibition on Wednesday.

Estimates suggest that about 1,777 MMSCFD of natural gas would be imported in 2019 if no new discoveries happen, he said.

Agus also said that the government continues to push for gas infrastructure development to allow equal distribution of natural gas across the country.