Lapindo analyzing new mudflow sources

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 09/11/2006 7:50 AM

Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Sidoarjo

Lapindo Brantas Inc., the operator of the well at the center of the mudflow in Sidoarjo, East Java, is analyzing gas coming out of two new mudflow sources in nearby Jatirejo village to determine whether it is poisonous.

The area around the two new mudflows has been closed to the public while experts analyze the gas coming up from the ground.

The first new source was spotted Thursday near the Abil Hasan Asy-Syadzily Islamic boarding school in Jatirejo village, while the second source was found Saturday close to a nearby abandoned building.

Only about 20 meters separate the two new mudflow sources, which are about 700 meters from the Lapindo well.

Witnesses said Thursday the eruption close to the Islamic boarding school started as a small ""bubbling"" coming from the ground, and later grew into a 30-centimeter high mud dome.

They said the ground resembled the area around the Lapindo Banjir Panji-1 exploration well before mud started erupting from the site May 29.

Sutrisno, the head of dangerous gas analysis company Fergaco Indonesia, which has been contracted by Lapindo to analyze the causes and impact of the two new mudflow sources, said a team was monitoring and analyzing the gas coming from the sources.

""They have taken samples of the gas gushing from the two new sources and will bring them to Jakarta to be examined at an oil and gas laboratory in Jakarta. The results are expected to be completed within one to two weeks,"" he said.

Sutrisno said preliminary analysis indicated the two new mudflow sources were caused by pressure being exerted beneath the earth's surface.

In an attempt to seal off the mud issuing from Banjir Panji-1, Lapindo has drilled down thousands of feet at shallow angles in spots kilometers away from the disaster's center. However, it is unknown whether this mitigation drilling has caused the new mudflows.

The former chairman of the Indonesian Geologists Association, Andang Bachtiar, said the emergence of the new mudflow sources gave validity to the ""mud volcano"" argument, which claims the mud was triggered by Lapindo's negligence in drilling.

This argument, however, is strongly opposed by Lapindo.

Meanwhile, Lapindo is reportedly continuing to discharge water from the mudflow area into Porong River, without first treating the water.

The water is being channeled into the river through two pipes that began operating Friday.

Secretary-general of Sidoarjo Environment Council Nurul Ahdi confirmed the untreated water was being piped into the river.

Nurul accused the company of violating regulations, saying the untreated water was a threat to the environment.

""The water directly discharged into the river has changed the color of the river water, which is also becoming oily. It shows the discharged water contains oil. We are still analyzing whether the water is poisonous or not,"" Nurul said.

Conservation International Indonesia's marine program director, Ketut Sarjana Putra, said Lapindo's actions were not only polluting the river but the entire coast.

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