SKK Migas signs cooperation with military

Upstream authority SKK Migas signed on Wednesday cooperation agreements with the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) to protect oil and gas contractors in their operations.

The agreements were signed by then acting Chairman of SKK Migas J. Widjonarko and TNI AD?s Chief of Staff Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo and TNI AL?s Eastern Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Arie Hendrikus Sembiring on the sidelines of the Security Summit in Bali, SKK Migas said in a statement.

Widjonarko said at the opening of the conference security disturbances remain a challenge for oil and gas contractors. Many major activities in upstream sector, including seismic surveys, drillings, development of new wells have often been put on hold due to security disturbances. Oil production has even been often stolen by irresponsible people, Wijonarko said.

?Non-technical factors such as security disturbances are among the factors behind the failure to reach the national oil production target,? he said.

The conference was attended by among others former Minister of Defence and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Indonesian Police Chief?s Operational Assistant Inspector General Arief Wahyunadi and around 350 oil and gas executives and military members and police officers.

SKK Migas? data say until September this year, there were 103 cases of security disturbance affecting the oil and gas operations, including equipment theft, oil theft, road blockage, and others.

?The number is significantly lower compared to 863 cases recorded in 2013,? Wijonarko said.

Although the number of security disturbance cases has been falling, SKK Migas is committed to continue maintaining and improving security at oil and gas operating areas, he said.

Under the agreement with TNI AD, the army will provide security for oil and gas onshore working areas through territorial supervision, social communication and activities. In case of emergency, the army is ready to provide protection to the oil and gas operation.

Wijonarko noted oil and gas upstream activities have expanded to areas where security risks are high, including conflict areas and border areas. Helps from the army are particularly needed in those areas.

Wijonarko said SKK Migas (formerly BPMIGAS) has been cooperating with TNI AL since 2005.

Under the new agreement, TNI AL will help secure and guard oil and gas onshore facilities against disturbances at sea; support in SAR (Search and Rescue) operation; station its members on temporary basis at oil and gas terminals, particularly in sea border areas; map oil and gas upstream facilities. Besides, TNI AL will clear oil and gas working areas of ammunition and explosives; guard the transportation of equipment and facilities for offshore operations; and others.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon