Pertamina complains about disturbance at fields in S. Sumatra

By Godang Sitompul

PT Pertamina EP, a subsidiary of state owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina, has complained that the company?s exploration and seismic survey activities at Pagardewa and Kluang Siarak blocks in South Sumatra have been disturbed by local people.

Nanang S. Manaf, the Vice President of Pertamina EP, said that trucks carrying rig facilities had been barred from entering the oil and gas field and some of drilling equipment at the location had also been stolen.

He said the disturbance of the local people had caused a delay in the exploration activities at the Pemaat-6 well in Pagardewa for at least two weeks.

"A truck carrying rig equipment was recently barred from entering the gas field in Pagardewa. The people then let the truck to pass through after being given some money,? Nanang told petromindo.com.

Nanang said that the exploration activities in the company?s Manduru field in Kluang Siarak block had also been delayed because more than 100 drilling pumps and other components were stolen in the drilling location. He acknowledged that the company had asked for security help from the local authority, but he added that it meant an additional cost.

Editing by Dadan Wijaksana