Chevron?s rigs forced for temporary shutdown

By Godang Sitompul

Concerns over the recent sentencing to prison of two directors of subcontractors of PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI)'s bioremediation project have now hit operation level, with 3 out of 11 rigs in Minas and Duri fields having to be temporarily shut-down as centralized mud treating facilities (CMTF) are not in operation.

VP Public Affair Chevron Indonesia Yanto Sianipar said that it was due to concerns of contractors, following the recent court?s guilty verdict on the directors of PT Sumigita Jaya and PT Green Planet.

?3 out of 11 rigs will be temporarily shut-down as CMTF is not in operation. The contractors are concerned over the recent court decision on the bioremediation case. Their contract nature is more or less the same with the bioremediation project,? Yanto told petromindo.com.

Last week, a special court of corruption sentenced Herlan bin Ompu to six years in prison and a fine of Rp 250 million, and Riscky Prematuri to five years in prison and a fine of 200 million. They are also required to pay the state for the losses of about US$9.9 million. The two are, respectively, directors of PT. Green Planet and PT. Sumigita, who are the subcontractors of the CPI?s bioremediation project.

Separately, an industry source told petromindo.com that a shutdown will also occur on sludge management facility (SMF) which will lead to a shutdown in Duri steam flood system. The source said potential loss of production could reach 50,000 barrels a week, with a total shutdown is estimated to last 30 days.

Editinng by Dadan Wijaksana