Sele Raya protested by local villagers

By Godang Sitompul

Upstream authority SKK Migas, is concerned with the ongoing protest by local villagers against PT Sele Raya Merangin Dua, which operates the Merangin II oil and gas block in South Sumatra.

The villagers have demanded compensation for what they claimed as environmental damage caused by leaking crude pipeline owned by the company passing through the village. SKK Migas Public Relations Chief Elan Biantoro, however, told Petromindo.com that the accusation was groundless as the leaking pipeline was caused by local oil thieves trying to cut the pipeline. ?Unfortunately, when the sawing occurred, there was no oil pumping. As a result only oil residue dripped to local rubber plantation,? Elan said.

He said that now the villagers are demanding Sele Raya to be responsible, not the local thieves.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak