EMP trying to resume Pagerungan operation

Publicly listed PT Energi Mega Persada (EMP) Tbk is trying to re-operate its Pagerungan field of Kangean PSC in Madura, East Java on Tuesday after suspending the field's operation on Saturday following a demonstration by local residents.

Trijana Kartoatmojo, deputy head of oil and gas upstream regulator BP Migas, told Petromindo.Com that a ?start-up? team from Jakarta, who had arrived in Pagerungan earlier today, was switching on all equipment at Pagerungan?s production facilities.

The workers of EMP?s subsidiary EMP Kangean Ltd., which operates the field, have returned to the site. The firm evacuated them following the demonstration as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety.

?The field is expected to start up this evening,? Trijana said.

The temporary shut-down of the field came as a consequence of demonstration organized by the local Pagerungan Besar island residents, demanding revenue sharing from the gas production, additional infrastructure development, and community development priority for Pagerungan Besar island over other islands.

EMP insisted that it had actively carried out several community development and support programs in the area surrounding the Kangean PSC, including road construction, school renovation, teacher training, scholarships to local students, building a study center and teaching local women how to make nutritious food and beverages from natural ingredients. In addition, it also provides food aid to disadvantaged groups on Pagerungan Besar island.

According to Trijana, a team comprising BP Migas? officials and police officers from the National Police Headquarters and East Java?s Provincial Police Headquarters had came to the area and talked with the local governmental leaders to solve the matter. (Godang)