Natural gas, most of which shaped of Methane (CH₄), is a non-renewable resources. Natural
gas has become an alternative energy source, which is
widely used by the people in the world,
because of the natural gas produced energy more efficiently. In the
economy sector, natural gas has become a competitive commodity, besides the
other commodities such as petroleum or coal. Indonesia, which is
one of the largest natural gas producer in the world, with total reserves of natural gas
based on the ministry of energy and mineral resouces totaled 170.07
TCF (trillion cubic Ft), has a big opportunity in utilizing the
potential of natural gas in order to develop their economic
condition. In general, the utilization of natural gas
divided into 3 groups: natural gas as fuel, natural gas as raw material
production, and natural gas for export commodities.
Natural gas can be processed into
fuel, which can help human beings to do their activities. Natural
gas which can be processed into
fuel is CNG and LPG. Compressed natural gas (CNG) is an
alternative fuel besides gasoline or diesel. In Indonesia,
we know of CNG as a fuel gas. This fuel is
considered more 'clean' than two fuel oil, because it dump gas emissions
that are environmentally-friendly. LPG (liquified petroleum gas), is
a mixture of various elements
of hydrocarbons derivedfrom natural gas. By
increasing the pressure and lowering the temperature, the
gas turns into liquid. LPG in indonesia usually used for household
appliance fuel (especially gas stove). In
short, natural gas plays an important role to support human
activities, especially that can be used as fuel, CNG or LPG.
Besides as a fuel, natural gas can
also be utilized in other ways, theya re as a raw material production.
One of the most natural gas which often used
the production process is petrochemicals. Petrochemicals are
the materials that we often hear as a raw material of Bitumen,
which have been especially useful in supporting human economic activities,
especially in the mobilization of transport. So, besides as a
fuel, natural gas is also very involved in the
production process, which as raw material production, which contributed to
support the human economic activity, especially in
the mobilization of transport.
The last utilization of
natural gas as is for export of commodities. It is undeniable
that natural is one of a very profitable commodity in
international trade. Natural which gas can be used as commodity export is
LNG (Liquified Natural Gas). LNG is natural gas that were processed
to remove impurities and heavy hydrocarbods and then condesed into liquid by
cooling the atmosphere in the press about160 ° Celsius.
Usually, LNG is used for air conditioner (AC) , as used in the
Bangkok Airport, Thailand and some college buildings in Australia. Indonesia as
one of the biggest natural gas producing country in the world,
certainly has an advantage in this
case, because Indonesia can gets many benefit from natural gas
which exports to other countries, that would automatically can
helps the development in economic sector in Indonesia.
In conclusion, Indonesia as one of
the biggest natural gas producer countries, should take measures and strategic
policies to maximize the potential that
exists in order to develop their economy. One approach
is to maximize the potential of natural gas produced. Indonesia may can use natural gas as an
alternative fuel from petroleum fuels, or as raw material
for production. Or, if Indonesia would get more profit,
Indonesia can maximize the export of
natural gas abroad. It can be done through with the good and
strategic policies, so that will stimulate the economic growth
of Indonesia in the future.