NGOs? demand TotalFinaElf to pay compensation to local people affected by gas blowout
Tuesday, March 5 2002 - 12:23 AM WIB
Chairman of the Wahana Bakti Environmental Grouping (FWB) Abu HR said that TotalFinaElf had to pay compensation to local shrimp farmers because shrimps ready for harvest had died due to the high temperature of the water caused by the gas blowout.
?If Total does not settle its obligation (to pay compensation) we?ll launch a demonstration and also prepare for legal action,? Abu said, adding that according to his survey there were at least 20 shrimp farmers affected by the gas blowout.
He also said that local fishermen could not yet go to the sea to catch fish because the heavily polluted waters.
On Friday, an uncontrolled eruption of gas and condensate occurred during a drilling operation performed by the rig Maera at the Tunu E5 well location on the Tunu field in the East Kalimantan?s Mahakam Delta.
The Mahakam Block is operated by TotalFinaElf Exploration and Production Indonesie in a 50:50 percent partnership with Inpex.
Meanwhile, chairman of the FPBKT, another local NGO focusing on cultural issues, Umar Paturusi said that the gas blowout had created certain psychological affect to the local people. He urged TotalFinaElf to take measures to amend the situation or the local villagers would loss confidence in the company.
Separately, TotalFinaElf?s head of administration Thobias Djadji insisted that the blowout did not badly affect the local shrimp farming business because the gas and condensate were easily evaporate.
But he promised the company together with the local office of the environmental watchdog Bapedal would launch a survey to make sure that no environmental damage had occur. He said that the company would provide compensation if the people had been affected by the blowout.(*)