"Pertamina should be entrusted to play the role of a single aggregator," Sofyano, the director of the Center for Public Policy Studies said here on Friday.
With the function self reliance in energy as one of the main objectives of the government of the new president Joko Widodo could be made a reality, he said.
Sofyano said Pertamina has the capability to manage gas sector comprehensively , adding so far the company has carried out its function as an aggregator in a number of areas in Indonesia.
In addition, in the past several years, Pertamina has performed well as a gas operator both in the upstream and downstream sectors, he said.
"Pertamina is the second largest gas producer in the country and all of its gas is for domestic consumption," he said.
Pertamina also has experience and capability in running gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) business domestically and internationally, he said.
"I think the qualities are enough to name Pertamina as the single aggregator to create balance between gas supply and demand in Indonesia," he said.
With Pertamina serving as the single aggregator the problem over lopsidedness in gas supply and requirement could be sorted out, he added.
Earlier , another energy observer Sampe L Purba said gas business must not be left to be entirely dictated by the market mechanism.
In addition the government has to address the problems related to gas supply, requirement, infrastructure , regulation and price, Purba said.
In an annual session in Berlin on 16 October 2014, Pertamina and Indonesian Gas Society were accepted members of International Gas Union (IGU).
Gas Director of Pertamina Hari Karyuliarto, who is also Chairman of Indonesian Gas Society said the acceptance was a recognition of Pertaminas reputation in gas management.
"The IGU membership provided a good momentum for Pertamina as well as Indonesian Gas Society to expand network among the global gas players," said Hari, who attended the session representing both Pertamina and the Indonesian Gas Society.
He said being an associate member of IGU, gives greater commitment to the company to contribute to development of gas infrastructure and industry in Indonesia.
(Uu.H-ASG/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
