East Aceh Police Checks Oil Spills From Pertamina Wells In The Malacca Straits

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

BANDA ACEH - The East Aceh Resort Police (Polres) is checking reports of bubbles or oil spills leaking from PT Pertamina's wells in the waters of the Malacca Strait, off the coast of Kuala Idi, East Aceh.

"We have checked whether there is an oil spill that reaches the land or not. After checking, we have not seen any oil spill spreading to the coast," said East Aceh Police Chief AKBP Eko Widiantoro through the Head of the Water Police Unit, Iptu Zainurrusydi, quoted by Antara, Thursday, September 2.

Based on the fishermen's report, said Iptu Zainurrusydi, the oil well leak has occurred since August 8. It happened around 28 to 30 nautical miles from the Kuala Idi entrance.

"Information we received, Pertamina has also handled it. And we were also not involved in going to the location. However, we only patrol around the coast of the Idi region to check whether there is an oil spill to land or not," said Iptu Zainurrusydi.

Senior Manager Relations Pertamina Subholding Upstream Regional Sumatra Yudy Nugraha said there was a gas bubble with the distribution of oil sheen or a thin layer of oil on the sea surface in the waters of the Malacca Strait off the Kuala Idi Coast.

The Emergency Management Team (PKD) of Pertamina EP Field Pangkalan Susu has carried out various handling efforts such as checking locations, mapping the distribution of a thin layer of oil, and looking for the source of the emergence of gas bubbles.

"Indications of gas bubbles were found coming from the H-4 Langsa Offshore well which is located about 30 nautical miles from the coast of Kuala Idi District. The well was previously managed by the Technical Assistance Contract Blue Sky and has been closed since November 2017," said Yudy Nugraha.

PEP Pangkalan Susu so far has deployed 13 ships to clean the thin layer of oil using an oil boom or a device to localize the spread of oil film in water and an oil skimmer or a device to separate oil in water.

"In addition, an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) is also used to see the cause of the emergence of gas bubbles under the sea. Currently, the handling is underway and is carried out quickly and intensively while still prioritizing work safety," said Yudy Nugraha.

Even though it has been handled, it continues to monitor by air and satellite following the oil spill model and conduct direct checks on the coast.

"Until today, the thin layer of oil has not been directed to the mainland and has been successfully localized. We also continue to coordinate with relevant parties to deal with this problem," said Yudy Nugraha.