Fishermen holds rally to protest M3nergy drilling

Dozens of fishermen coming from three districts in Banten province -- Wanasalam, Binuangeun districts in Lebak regency and Cikeusik district, Pandeglang regency ? held a rally to protest the drilling activities of Malaysian firm M3nergy Gamma Sdn. Bhd in Indian Ocean on Saturday, according to local media.

Using boats, about 80 of them came close to the drilling site, encircling the site and voicing their protests using megaphones. Police and military members were present at the rally. They tried to persuade the angry fishermen to talk with the company?s management, but the fishermen turned down the offer.

Andi Rahman Head of Lebak?s Binuangen Fishing Community Communication Forum, said the local fishermen were angry because no socialization had been held prior to the drilling.

?The drilling activities will certainly cause damage on fish habitat of the area,? he was quoted by JPNN.

Cikiruhwetan village head in Cikeusik district, Pandeglang regency Lukmanul Hakim said the drilling was carried in fish migration and catchment zone. Thus, if the firm insists on drilling in the area, the area will be damaged and the local fishermen will lose their livelihood.

He regretted the fact as a village head he had never been sent by the provincial government or central government a copy of the permit for the firm to carry out the drilling.

SKK Migas said last December that M3nergy planned to spud Cula # 1 exploration well in Ujung Kulon block in offshore Banten, starting at the end of the month.

Dwi Nurcahyanto, Head of Survey Realization and Exploration Drilling Division at upstream authority SKK Migas told Petromindo.com that the drilling will be completed in one month.

The Ujung Kulon PSC covers an area of approximately 3,706 sq km both onshore and offshore in the southern part of Banten province. The 30-year PSC was signed on March 22, 2007 and was awarded to Malaysia firm M3nergy Gamma Sdn. Bhd. (*)