Pertamina Finds One New Cause That Makes Several Oil Refineries Burn

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Pertamina (Persero) discovered a new cause of oil refinery fires in several places, including Dumai City, Riau on Saturday, April 1.

"The fifth is what we found, this is new. This is corrosion under insulation (CUI). We think that if an insulation has been installed, it will be given a cushion, it is safe. It turns out that it is not," said President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero) Nicke Widyawati at the Gathering with the Media Editor in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, April 12.

He explained that corrosion or carat occurred because there was water deposited on the surface of the tank.

This happened because the water contained in the tank did not turn into steam so it fell down and caused carat, which in the end made the leak that was able to explode.

As an anticipation in the future, Pertamina will make changes to refinery materials. The company is also building a new system.

"So it's very technical but about five things, this is what we do improvement based on the risks that happened today. However, to change this is not only to replace the equipment or material, but we also build the system, we improve as well as the competence of the people," said Nicke.

Previously, he said, there were four causes of the burning of oil refineries, namely lightning strikes, overflowing, hydrogen leaks and sulfur sedimentation. This can be overcome by revitalizing oil refineries to be able to process high sulfur.

He conveyed that Pertamina will continue to make improvements so that and manage existing assets properly.

"From day to day with all the improvements we do, everything can go better," said Nicke.