Balikpapan Refinery Burns, Pertamina: Already Extinguished And Ready To Operate

JAKARTA - The PT Pertamina (Persero) refinery in the area of RU V Pertamina Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, caught fire, Friday March 4 at 10.30 WITA. The refinery produces fuel oil or BBM (Premium, Kero, Solar, Pertadex & Pertamax), non-fuel (Smooth Fluid 05), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

However, PT Refinery Pertamina Internasional moved quickly to extinguish the fire around the Balikpapan refinery area and ensured that the Balikpapan Refinery is currently in a safe condition and can still operate.

Ely Chandra, Are Manager of Communication, Relations, and CSR of the Balikpapan Refinery, PT Pertamina International Refinery, said that the watering system with static extinguishers immediately operated and was assisted by 4 units of fire trucks that continued to pour water for cooling.

"The fire that had arisen has been successfully controlled at around 11.00 WITA. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and we are still waiting for the results of the investigation", he said in a written statement to the media.

Ely also appealed to the public not to panic, because the incident was still within the perimeter of the refinery and currently the fire has been extinguished. Currently, the team continues to cool down using water and foam.

"The refinery also has no problems and can still operate", he concluded.