Gas supply disruption causes massive blackout in Singapore: Update

Upstream oil, gas watchdog BP MIGAS said Wednesday that disruption in the supply of natural gas to Singapore was due to problem at West Natuna Transportation System - onshore receiving facility in Jurong.

?This section (of the pipeline) is Singapore?s responsibility not Indonesia's,? said vice-chairman of BP MIGAS Warnika Kardaya.

Kardaya said gas supply from West Natuna blocks are still continuing but with a declining pressure.

On Tuesday, June 29 at 21:57 Singapore Time, the unexpected gas supply interruption has caused blackouts in many parts of Singapore.

According to deputy chief of BP MIGAS, Trijana Kartoatmodjo, the interruption lasted approximately 21 minutes and was initiated by an emergency shutdown (ESD) of the Jurong facility.

?Immediate actions were to determine the cause of the ESD, to isolate any potentially unsafe conditions and ultimately to reestablish flow on stand-by equipment,? Trijana said Wednesday adding that gas supplies were once again fully available by 2:33 hours.

?An investigation team of personnel from Jakarta and Singapore has been formed and is in progress of reviewing and troubleshooting of the relevant system,? Trijana added. (alex/godang)