Pertamina shuts down illegal wells in Jambi
Wednesday, February 20 2019 - 01:08 AM WIB
State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina have closed down 25 illegal oil wells in a conservation forest area in Batanghari Regency, Jambi Province, Antara reported Tuesday.
"The fire that gutted illegal oil wells in Batanghari Recently recently has indicated that illegal drilling continued unabated in the area. Hence, we follow up with the shutdown of 25 oil wells in the Sultan Thaha Syaifudin forest on Sunday (Feb 17)," Pertamina EP Asset 1 Government and PR Assistant Manager Andrew told the state-owned news agency.
The police have worked in cooperation with Pertamina EP and TAC Pertamina-Pusako Betung Muaro Senami Jambi (PBMSJ) to close down the illegal wells.
"We close down the wells by inserting a sucker rod into the wells and cement, so that it could not be re-opened by irresponsible persons," Andrew revealed.
The police have also seized some evidence, including a motor engine, mini rig, tubing, pulley block, and other equipment for conducting illegal oil drilling.
Andrew affirmed that in addition to closing down the wells, the company was optimistic that the authority would take legal measures against those involved in the illegal oil production. (*)