Update-Balongan to resume normal ops in three days

State oil and gas company PT Pertamina (Persero) said on Thursday it would take three days to start up Balongan refinery in West Java that was shut down early today after a strong earthquake hit the area.

CEO Ari Soemarno told reporters that a switch that regulated electricity distribution in the refinery went down after the earthquake.

?We?ll need three days to start up the refinery, ? he said.

Processing Director Suroso Atmomartoyo said that trouble in balongan would not negatively affect fuel products distribution as Pertamina could delay routine maintenance in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan until Balongan gets back to normal. ?Fuel stock is adequate,? he said.

Balongan has capacity to process 125,000 BPD of crude and produces fuels such as Pertamax Plus, Pertamina Dex, leadless gasoline and LPG.(godang)