Caltex says security disturbances still rampant in Riau operations
Monday, September 9 2002 - 01:44 AM WIB
"The number security threats had not been decreased significantly over the years. There have been 1,600 cases of thefts last year. Blockades and threats are still happening to our contractors. Those cases slow down CPI's activities and cost the company production opportunity loss," Humayunbosha, CPI president directors told reporters in its Riau Headquarter.
"Our field in Balam in Rokan block now produces 7,000 BPD. If we could develop the field without disturbances from local people, production could be increased up to 35,000 BPD," he said.
"Those thieves took anything that they could sell, such as cables, pipelines, alluminium and sometimes even vehicles. From our contractors, those thugs are extorting money," said Karsani Aulia, CPI External Relation manager who oversees CPI security.
Karsani said from the number of thefts cases that were brought to justice, none of the thieves was punished. "They are all released, mostly for the lack of supporting evidence."
CPI is operating several oil blocks that cover huge area in Riau. Karsani said the area that suffered the most from security disturbances are Buri and Rokan area near North Sumatran borders.
CPI had been calling for security apparatus to help ease the problem, but thus far, said Humayunbosha, no significant improvement seen.
Meanwhile, Humayunbosha expected for the next two years, CPI would be running at the production level of around 560,000 barrels per day.
"We have four discovery this year that could be brought to production to add 8,000 barrels per day to our production by the end of the year and waterflood technology had increased production in Duri by 5,000 BPD," he said.
CPI lost Coastal Plain pekanbaru (CPP) block which produced 40,000 BPD this year after the contract expired. (alex)