Military to help protect Pertamina EP?s assets from illegal driling

PT Pertamina EP (PEP), a subsidiary of state owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Brawijaya/V Military Command which oversees the East Java area to help protect the firm?a assets from illegal oil drillers.

The MoU was signed by PEP?s Cepu Field Manager Wresniwiro and Col.Nefra Firdaus representing the Brawijaya military command on Oct. 1, PEP said in a press statement on Friday.

Under the agreement, the military command will handle security for PEP?s assets in Cepu field in Tuban and Bojonegoro regencies.

?We hope thanks to the MoU, illegal drilling activities within our asset can be reduced and even stopped. We are really concerned over the conditions of the illegal drillers They ignor the health, environment and safety aspects in their activities.

Furthermore, their activities are in conflict with the Chapter 33 of the constitution that says earth, water and natural wealth therein is controlled by the state and should be utlized to give the maximum benefits for the people,? Agustinus, acting spokesperson of PEP, said in a statement.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon