The Arun Plant: When Aceh was the World's LNG King (1978–2014)

The Arun gas field was discovered in late 1971 by Mobil Oil. The construction of the PT Arun NGL plant in Lhokseumawe turned it into one of the world's largest LNG producers during the 1980s and 1990s.

This economic boom had a dark side, as revenue concentration in Jakarta fueled regional resentment that funded the GAM insurgency. The refinery closed in October 2014 due to depleted reserves.