Floating LNG plant lies idle as Indonesia gas demand falters

Jakarta

A US$400 million floating plant for changing LNG (liquefied natural gas) back to gas has sat idle off Indonesia's coast for around six months despite only being commissioned last summer, hit by faltering demand for the cleaner fuel as oil prices drop and the economy slows.

The stoppage could stoke government worries over the strength of appetite for gas in South-east Asia's largest economy, another blow to the administration of President Joko Widodo which has been pushing for greater consumption of the fuel to curb pollution and diversify energy sources.