JAKARTA (rambuenergy.com) – The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) is currently investigating the fire at RDG-47 oilwell in Jatibarang field in early Monday (Feb. 8), which is operated by state owned energy company PT Pertamina. The well-service was carried out by third party.
The investigation will focus on discovering the cause of the fire.
Director for Technique and Oil and Gas Environment at the energy ministry Naryanto Wagimin said the preliminary information reveals that the fire was caused by human error as the workers were not careful enough in repairing the well pump with Rig Pumpindo PEP 08.
“It looks they are not careful enough. There was gas and flame, triggering the fire. An investigation is being carried out,” Naryanto was quoted by Kontan as saying.
The workers were trying to replace the pump at the RDG-47 well. When pump was being installed and pump already reached 180 meters beneath the surface, gas and liquid emerged to the surface, which immediately handled by the works. However, flame emerged and immediately triggering huge fire.
Naryanto said the fire in the well will have limited impact on national oil production as the oil production from the Jatibarang field is small. However, the ministry’s concerned is on safety at work place and its implementation.
The fire has killed two workers and five were injured and are now being treated at Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta.
On Tuesday (Feb. 2), a day after the fire happened, Pertamina conducted the so-called “safety stand down” program to reassure safety practices are implemented properly both by Pertamina workers and third parties.
“Through this safety stand down activity, on behalf of board of directors of Pertamina, I call on all workers and partners of Pertamina, in particular those who are involving in upstream sector to pay attention on the HSSE (health, safety, security and environment) rules. Be sure that HSEE Golden Rules, namely compliance, care, intervention are applied. These principles must be complied by all industries,” Pertamina Director for Upstream Syamsu Alam said. (*)