Pertamina hopes to put off fire in six week

State oil and gas firm Pertamina said on Tuesday fire that hit its exploration well in Cepu Central Java could be put off within six-week time.

?Right now we are mobilizing equipment and in the next few days we hope to be able to start work to put off fire then to seal the well,? said Pertamina?s deputy upstream director Eteng Salam in a press conference.

Eteng said some 1000 villagers who lived nearby were evacuated.

He confirmed that the fire had destroyed Pertamina?s rig.

Fire hit Randubaltung-1 wildcat exploration well on Monday afternoon after uncontrolled gas blowout occurred.

Eteng said the well had reached the depth of 2897 meters when the blow out occurred. The planned total depth was 3635.

?The positive side of the blowout is now we more certain that there are significant gas reserve in the area. Prior to the blowout, there were sign that we have hit at least 50 meter-thick gas column,? said Eteng. (godang)