Oil wells erupt mud in Gresik

The Jakarta Post   |  Fri, 12/26/2008 8:25 PM  |  Business

Three oil wells jointly operated by Pertamina and Petrochina in Sekarkurung, Gresik, East Java, spewed a three-meter geyser of toxic gas and mud Friday morning.

The upstream oil and gas regulatory agency (BP Migas) told government officials later that day the eruption occurred when well operators were about to replace the drill bit at one well with a new one. The regulator said attempts have already been made to curb the eruption and that they expected to solve the problem soon after nightfall.

Local legislative councilmember Akhmad Affandi quoted BP Migas as saying Pertamina had reinserted the bit with its bore into the bore hole to curb the eruption.

Affandi said that, should the eruption persist, it could result in the same kind of disaster that is still affecting Sidoarjo, East Java, where a lake of hot mud has formed from the continuously erupting toxic mud since May 29, 2006.

"Should they fail to solve the problem, the legislative council will force the companies to halt all drilling operations in the area," he said. (and)
 

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