BPMIGAS regrets vandalism in South Sumatra wells

By Godang Sitompul

Upstream authority BPMIGAS regretted the ongoing vandalism act carried out by a group of local people who illegally reopened two oil wells in South Sumatra which have been closed down by former operator ConocoPhillips.

BPMIGAS official Hadi Prasetyo said that the local villagers forced the reopening of the shut down wells in Keban Village, Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatra, and has illegally resumed the operation of the wells since August 8.

?The two wells which are the assets of the government have no longer been in operation for a long time. The previous operator, ConocoPhillips had shut down the well in line with the existing standard and procedure,? Hadi told Petormindo.com Monday.

Hadi explained that the illegal reopening of the two wells without observing the safety standard and operational producers had polluted the local water wells, the source of clean water. If prolonged, the illegal activity could cause further serious harm to the environment and public safety and health. He pointed out as an example on the potential of fire accident during crude production process carried out in traditional ways.

Hadi said that BPMIGAS, together with ConoPhillips and local apparatus have approached the local villagers to find resolution and stop the illegal activity, but so far has yet to reach agreement with them. BPMIGAS also wants to prevent such activity from spreading to other wells in the village. There are 10 oil wells in Keban Village, eight of which have been shut down.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak