he seven gas stations will entirely be financed by Pertamina`s internal cash."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian state oil and gas company PT Pertamina will build seven more gas stations in and around Jakarta this year to support the government`s oil-to-gas conversion program, the company`s gas director, Hari Karyuliarto, said.

"The seven gas stations will entirely be financed by Pertamina`s internal cash," he said here on Tuesday night.

The projects including the construction of gas stations in Cililitan and Pulogadung, East Jakarta, and the revitalization of gas station in Mampang, South Jakarta, have been incorporated to the company`s business plan this year, he said.

The projects are designed to encourage motor vehicles particularly public transport modes in the capital to switch to gas.

He said the number of gas stations in Jakarta and environs which currently reaches less than 30 is far from enough. "Ideally, there should be more than 30 gas stations in and around Jakarta. The safe number of gas stations should be 50," he said.

Under the 2013 state budget, the government also has allocated Rp474 billion in funds to build gas stations. The funds are channeled through Pertamina to build gas stations in a number of cities in Java and other parts of the country.

He said Pertamina has prepared gas reserves of more than 35 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) to support the planned construction of gas stations in a number of cities in the country.

"CNG gas supplies will be more than enough. What should receive the government`s attention is supporting infrastructure, such as mother stations, gas pipeline networks and converters," he said.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry plans to distribute 2,000 free gas fuel converters among owners of public transport modes this year. The converters will cost the government Rp35 billion.

In total, the country needs 40 thousand converters to support the oil-to-gas conversion program.

(Reporting by Faisal Yunianto/Uu.S012/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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