BP names panel on Tangguh LNG project in Papua

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Anglo-American energy giant BP Plc has appointed a four-strong international panel of experts to advise it on various issues regarding the Tangguh liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Papua.

The International Advisory Panel on the Tangguh Project comprises Sabam Siagian, the former Indonesian ambassador to Australia, Rev. Herman Saud, the head of the Evangelical Christian Church in Papua, former senator 
George Mitchel of the United States and Lord Hannay of Britain. 

Mitchel is known as a peace broker in the Northern Ireland conflict and once drafted a peace proposal for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict; while Hannay is the former British permanent representative to the United States. 

The panel reports directly to the corporate leadership in London and is not subject to the organizational structure of BP Indonesia, Herman was quoted by Antara as saying in Papua's capital of Jayapura on Thursday. 

The panel was set up to advise BP on how best to help the local communities in Papua, protect the environment and prevent conflicts with locals and environmentalists. 

The panel members met with BP's leadership in London in late April. 

Herman said he has been criticized by non-governmental organizations for accepting the BP offer, but was not deterred because he believes the position will allow him to help the local people. 

"I don't expect anything for myself. I work for all people, especially the traditional owners of the land where the project is located," he said. 

The Tangguh project, which will be jointly developed by BP and Pertamina, is located in southwestern Papua, where BP and its partners have found a huge gas reserve. 

The LNG project will be supplied with gas from the Wiriagar, Berau and Muturi blocks, which contain proven reserves of 14.4 trillion cubic feet of gas. BP is the majority owner of the blocks. 

BP and Pertamina have secured a buyer for the LNG from the Philippines and are competing with Qatar and Australia for a supply contract with China.