Fishermen held Hess officials hostage over seismic compensation dispute

Hundreds of East Kalimantan fishermen held four Hess Corp.?s officials and an official from upstream oil, gas authority BPMIGAS hostage on Tuesday for three hours at Balikpapan council office after their demand to get high compensation for their fish traps destroyed in seismic activity was declined, local media reported on Wednesday.

The fishermen held the officials hostage after mediation facilitated by Balikpapan council failed to produce agreement on compensation price.

The fishermen demanded compensation of Rp.15 million or about U$$1,600 per fish trap affected while Hess and BPMIGAS only agreed to pay one tenth of the value, the report said.

Hess is the operator of South Sesulu offshore block, where the seismic took place.

The officials were finally freed by tens of police. (*)