Pertamina EP Halts Oil Distribution Following Explosion Near Tempino-Plaju Pipeline

oil pipeline

Pertamina EP, upstream business of the PT Pertamina, has halted oil distribution at its Tempino-Plaju pipeline in Bayung Lencir, Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatra following an explosion near the pipeline, allegedly triggered by oil thieves, on Wednesday morning.

Pertamina EP’s spokesman Agus Amperianto told reporters in Jakarta that the company received information that the explosion, which reportedly claimed five lives, happened at 6 a.m. and the ensuing fire was extinguished by 11a.m.

"Based on the information that we found so far, there is strong evidence that the explosion was caused by oil thievery practices," he said, adding that "a two-inch pipe allegedly used for oil theft was found near the pipeline."

In previous reports, it was said that the Tempino-Plaju pipeline, which distributes 11,000 barrels of oil per day, exploded and killed three people. However, Agus said that there was no immediate information on whether the pipeline was damaged the explosion happened near by.

Still, Pertamina EP has decided to halt oil distribution, Agus said, adding that the estimated loss was approximately Rp 2.7 billion.(iwa)