Government to set up task force to curb illegal oil drilling

The government plans to set up a task force to overcome illegal oil drilling and illegal tapping problems in the country.

 

Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Djoko Siswanto said at a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission VII on energy and mining on Monday as quoted by a ministry statement that the task force will comprise of officials from related ministries and government institutions.

 

He added that the planned task force is still being discussed as the required budget has year to be approved. He expected support from the Commission VII to accelerate the setting up of the task force.

 

He said that while the government over the past couple of years had managed to shut down some illegal drilling activities and illegal tapping of oil, illegal drilling remains a major challenge in the country.

 

Djoko said that illegal drilling activities mostly occurred in Aceh Timur Regency, Langkat Regency, Bengkalis Regency, Batanghari Regency, Sorolangun Regency, Musi Banyuasin Regency, and at the working area of PT Pertamina EP Asset 4 which spans Blora, Bojonegoro, and Tuban regencies.

 

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak