Once Burned And Killed 3 People, Illegal Oil Wells In East Aceh Were Closed By Pertamina Rantau

JAKARTA - Pertamina EP Rantau Field and KSO Aceh Timur Kawai Energi have closed an illegal oil well that was once burned in Mata Ie Village, Ranto Peureulak District, East Aceh Regency.

Well Intervention Manager Zone 1, Eko Hardjani, said that the closure of the well was carried out by casting the surface of the well-using cement.

"The closure of the permanent well is by the request of the East Aceh Regency Government to prevent the recurrence of incidents that endanger the community and the surrounding environment", said Eko Hardjani in East Aceh, Antara, Thursday, May 12.

Eko Hardjani said that illegal oil well drilling is rife on community land in Ranto Peurelak District, East Aceh Regency. Even some time ago there was an illegal well fire that claimed lives.

"The closing of the well went smoothly and safely thanks to the support of the East Aceh Forkopimda in collaboration with Aceh Oil and Gas Management Agency (BPMA) and Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) as supervisors and controllers of upstream oil and gas activities", said Eko Hardjani.

The head of the Ranto Peureulak Police, Iptu Eko Suhendro, added that the closed oil well was traditionally managed by the community and did not have a permit. The closed well exploded and caught fire, killing three people.

"Before it was closed, the Pertamina team together with SKK Migas carried out security in the area at the location of the burning oil well", said Iptu Eko Suhendro.

The closure is done by pumping cement into the wellbore. Then use three drill pipe rods measuring one inch long, six meters, and above with a depth of approximately 18 meters.

"Then it is poured with cement to cover the top of the oil wellhead. Closing the oil well takes four hours. The police oversee the process of closing the traditional oil well hole", said Iptu Eko Suhendro.