Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla said Monday his country could fill the export target of 3 million tons of gas to Japan after the current contract expires in2011.

"I am optimistic that the figure can be reached," Kalla told reporters at his office here.

Earlier, the Indonesian state oil and gas firm Pertamina said that Indonesia could provide 3 million tons of gas to Japan per year in the next contract.

Kalla said that apart from fulfilling the domestic demand of gas, which has been doubled, Indonesia will continue to export itsgas due to its high price.

He said that the aging of some wells have decreased production of the gas, but the findings of some new wells that are still not productive now, are expected to boost production.

The vice president said that Indonesia will continue selling gas to Japan which has bought Indonesia's gas for 30 years. But the volume would be decreased, he said.

Under the current contract that will expire in 2011, Indonesia supplies 12 million tons of gas per year to Japan.

Source:Xinhua