BPMIGAS says oil ops unaffected by Tarakan ethnic rift

Upstream oil, gas authority BPMIGAS said oil operations in East Kalimantan town of Tarakan remained unaffected by ethnic clash that paralyzed the city.

Spokesperson Elan Biantoro told Petromindo.Com that operations remained normal despite the fact that workers from Bugis ethnic were temporarily not allowed to work to avoid revenge from Dayak ethnic.

The town of Tarakan had been tense in the past few days after a Dayak elder was killed by a group of Bugis, which prompted the Dayaks to take revenge. Gunshots and arsons are reportedly haunting the town. Business and school activities are also halted, reports said.

There are two oil, gas contractors operating in Tarakan, namely state oil, gas company PT Pertamina with production of 650 bpd and Medco E&P Indonesia with production of around 3,000 bpd. (godang)