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Fuel theft in Medan causes Pertamina pipeline to leak and catch fire
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Photo: Process of reporting theft of BBM to the local police.
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T Pertamina Patra Niaga - Regional Sumbagut confirms that the fire incident that occurred around an fuel distribution pipeline section in the Belawan Bahari Village on the evening of Oct. 26 was caused by the actions of oil theft culprits who punctured the fuel distribution pipeline.
“We confirm that the leakage was caused by theft involving puncturing the fuel distribution pipeline,” explained Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut Area Manager Communication, Relations & CSR Susanto August Satria.
Furthermore, Satria stated that, based on the reports received from the security team of Pertamina Fuel Terminal (FT) Medan Group at approximately 3:30 p.m., the pipeline security patrol team discovered a leak in the fuel distribution pipeline in the Kampung Kurnia, Belawan Bahari area, resulting from thieves who punctured the pipeline. Upon discovering this, the security personnel immediately coordinated with FT Medan Group and took initial actions by temporarily sealing up the hole and requesting assistance from the technical team to end any further leakage.
According to information from local residents, at around 6:30 p.m., the fuel theft culprits intentionally removed the seal covering the leak, causing fuel to gush out vigorously, while simultaneously igniting a fire.
"Upon receiving the report of the fire incident, Pertamina immediately temporarily suspended the fuel distribution activities to reduce the flow from the punctured pipeline caused by the thief, and the fire was successfully extinguished with the assistance of local residents. The site is now stable, and Pertamina's technical team has closed the pipeline hole permanently,” explained Satria.
Pertamina has undertaken various preventive efforts to prevent fuel theft in the Belawan Bahari area.
"We conduct daily routine patrols in collaboration with the Lantamal and Kodim task forces, as well as engage in community outreach to raise awareness among the local population about environmental safety in relation to illegal fuel tapping. All preventive efforts must be accompanied by the awareness and cooperation of the residents because, on several occasions, these illegal tapping actions were carried out by individuals living not far from that area," added Satria.
Satria expressed concern about the two burn victims, and the company has officially reported the fuel theft on this pipeline route to law enforcement authorities.
“Pertamina and the local residents are clearly harmed. Therefore, we have reported this incident to the authorities, specifically to the Belawan Port Police, so that the culprits can be promptly apprehended and processed in accordance with the applicable laws,” Satria explained.
Pertamina Corporate Communication Vice President Fadjar Djoko Santoso added that Pertamina appreciates the support of the central and regional governments, law enforcement agencies and the community for their support in safeguarding Pertamina's assets, which are considered obvitnas (national vital objects). "Pertamina's assets are essential for the welfare of the general public, so their security is one of our main shared priorities," he explained.
