NGOs accuse Caltex of using explosives in exploration activities
Monday, October 16 2000 - 03:30 AM WIB
Non-governmental organizations have accused PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI) with illegally using explosives in its oil exploration activities in Riau province, Riau Pos daily reported on Monday.
Andreas Heru Khahurifan, the secretary general of the Institutions for the Indonesian Forestry Studies (LPHI), said that the oil giant used "seismic" explosives in its exploration activities on its shore oil fields in the province.
He said that the use of such bombs should be stopped because the impact of the explosion would damage the land and its fertility within a radius of 40 kilometers. "If the company continues using the explosives for its exploration, all parts of the province's land will become barren," Andreas said.
He said that it was quite unique Caltex, known in the world as one of oil companies, which pay good care to the environments, hurt the Indonesian environments. (*)