Chevron seeks approval to open gas stations

Chevron Corp.s unit PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia is seeking government approval to open gasoline stations in the country, an official at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said. The ministry is currently reviewing its request, the ministry’s director for oil and gas downstream sector development, Erie Soedarmo said. If Chevron’s application is approved, the company will be the fifth private company to enter the fuel distribution business in the country, after Shell, Petronas and Total E&P Indonesie, a local unit of France’s Total. The government revoked Pertamina’s monopoly rights earlier as part of efforts to liberalize the downstream oil and gas sector and boost foreign investment in the business. (January 31, 2007)