Pertamina EP complains of recurring illegal tapping

By Godang Sitompul

PT Pertamina EP said that illegal tapping at the Tempino-Plaju crude pipeline in South Sumatra has become rampant again, causing crude losses to rise to around 6.12 percent of the distributed crude in December.

?The (crude) losses in the Tempino-Plaju (section) now stands at around 900 barrel per day. In comparison, at the end of November it (the losses) could be reduced to around 500 bpd or about 4.10 percent,? Pertamina EP Public Relations Manager, Agus Amperianto told Petromindo.com Thursday.

He said that the company has intensified security efforts, and is currently preparing an MoU for joint security efforts with the police.

?The draft is still being reviewed, as a result the basis for fast action and command is still hampered,? he added.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak