Pertamina EP pipeline in Aceh hit by illegal tappers

By Godang Sitompul

PT Pertamina EP said that its oil distribution pipeline in Rantau field area in Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh, has been hit by illegal tappers.

?I have received the report that there had been illegal tapping activity in Rantau field area,? PEP President Director Syamsu Alam told Petormindo.com Monday.

He said that after the company, in cooperation with the military and the police, launched an intensive campaign to crack down illegal tappers in the Tempino-Plaju pipeline in South Sumatra, there had been indication that the illegal tappers moved their criminal operation to PEP assets in other areas.

Kompas on Monday reported that the local police found over the weekend more than 3 tons of oil in large and small containers stashed at a small house in Buket Rata Village, Kejuran Muda District, Aceh Tamiang. The police launched the raid against the illegal tappers following report from PEP Rantau Field security officials who were suspicious of declining oil flow from the field distributed to the Pangkalan Susu area via the pipeline.

They then found out that illegal tappers had put a hole in the distribution pipeline which passes through forest and villages to reach Pangkalan Susu. The police are currently hunting for the illegal tappers who have fled away.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak