Thefts in Tempino-Plaju pipe lane triggered fire that killed 5
Wednesday, October 3 2012 - 07:37 AM WIB
A section of Tempino-Plaju crude pipeline caught fire on Wednesday at a time when illegal tapping was underway, triggering massive fire that eventually killed 5 people and injured at least 18 other people, PT Pertamina EP announced.
Communications Manager Agus Amperianto told petromindo.com that the fire occurred in the 219th km in Bayung Lencir, Musi Banyuasin regency, as the result of oil thefts. ?They were taking the crude from a leaked pipe lane when all of a sudden the fire started to rage, presumably ignited by cigarettes,? said Agus.
He said the injured people have been submitted to a nearby hospital.
A media statement from Pertamina EP said that the fire, which started in early morning, was extinguished by around lunch time. Crews from companies operating in close proximity worked together with the local administration and fire brigade to put out the fire.
Pertamina EP has been for long suffering from illegal tapping of crude in the Tampino-Plaju lane. The Tempino-Plaju lane supplies 11,000-12,000 bopd of crude to Pertamina?s refinery in Plaju, Palembang, South Sumatra.
In June of this year, PEP was forced to temporarily suspend the supply amid rampant thievery, a problem seen difficult to overcome as it?s mostly conducted by people living in surrounding areas. The company has conducted persuasive approach to deal with the issue to avoid direct conflict.
Editing by Dadan Wijaksana