Power supply cut off at Balikpapan refinery

By Godang Sitompul

Petromindo|Boim

State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina has temporarily suspended the Balikpapan refinery on Saturday following breakdown at the power plant.

Pertamina Vice President Director Achmad Bambang told Petromindo.com that the company was forced to shut down the power plant due to leak at the steam pipeline early on Saturday, cutting down the required power supply to the refinery.

He added that the company was also forced to release the gas that had entered production process at the refinery for safety purpose, causing an explosion-like sound and roaring fire, triggering initial fears among the local residents that the refinery had been caught on fire and hit by explosion.

Bambang said that Pertamina hopes to be able to complete the repair of the power plant within seven days, so that the refinery can resume operation.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak