Oil production at Lirik field halted as residents block road
Wednesday, March 16 2005 - 04:04 AM WIB
Oil production at Medco E&P Indonesia-operated Lirik block onshore Riau province has been halted after local residents blockaded an access road to the oil field, an official at oil and gas regulator BPMIGAS said late Tuesday.
Jatmiko, an officer at BPMIGAS in Riau told Petromindo.Com that local residents have started blockading the field since Tuesday morning, demanding Medco to hand over the road to the local government.
?BPMIGAS and MEPI are continuing the negotiation with them (protesters) and we hope that this situation can be resolved by tomorrow,? Jatmiko said, adding that his office had asked for help to the local police.
The Lirik field, which is located in Palalawan regency, produces oil of around 1,700 barrels per day.
When contacted, MEPI?s government relations Aditya Mandala confirmed the road blockade incident, saying that MEPI principally could understand the residents? demand. (godang)