Pertamina: Incident Handled Successfully, Cilacap Refinery Operations & Fuel Supply Runs Normally

An incident in one of the tanks in the Cilacap Refinery area, Central Java, has been successfully handled. PT Pertamina (Persero) ensures that the CilacapRefinery operates as usual; both when the incident occurs and after it is handled.

CEO of Subholding Refinery and Petrochemical, Djoko Priyono, said that the incident affected one tank unit in the CilacapRefinery area (11/13/2021) at around 19.20 WIB. It was successfully extinguished on Sunday (11/14/2021) at 07.45 WIB. The emergency status has also been lifted at 09.15 WIB.

“During the incident at the tank, the entire operation of the Cilacap Refinery was running normally as usual. There are no disruptions because we could seal the tank. Therefore, all operations would continue as usual,” said Djoko during a press conference at the Graha Pertamina Building, Gambir, Central Jakarta, Sunday (11/14/2021).

Djoko added that apart from handling the burning tank and the surrounding tanks, fluid control was also carried out.

“Furthermore, we will do cooling around the tank. We will also do offensive fire fighting to the hotspots in the tank. With offensive fire fighting, all fires were controlled and extinguished at 07.45 this morning,” Djoko said.

Djoko emphasized that the Pertamina team also carried out environmental pollution control, including standby equipment for handling oil escapes and installing absorbents in trenches.

“Vacuum truck patrol was carried out in the refinery, including monitoring by the oilman crew around the tank,” said Djoko.

Regarding the availability of fuel and LPG stocks, the CEO of Subholding Commercial and Trading, Alfian Nasution, emphasized that national and local stocks are well maintained. Currently, the Premium fuel is at 27 days, Pertamax is 15 days, Pertalite is above ten days. Diesel is 20 days, Avtur is 35 days, Pertamax Turbo is 50 days, and LPG is 12.7 days.

“Thus, we convey that there shoudn’t be any worries norconcerns. The distribution of fuel and LPG runs as usual, both in Central Java and parts of West Java, which are the coverage areas of the Cilacap refinery,” said Alfian.

Meanwhile, President Director of Pertamina Nicke Widyawatiensured that the supply of fuel and LPG are sufficient and undisturbed. She hoped that there would be no panic in the community regarding the incident.

“We hope there is no panic buying because there is sufficient stock. Some products are above the minimum standard,” said Nicke.

However, Nicke confirmed that she would conduct a thorough evaluation and investigation regarding the incident at the Cilacaprefinery. This evaluation and investigation are important. We will take it as a lesson learned,” said Nicke.

Nicke also said that handling the community was a top priority in this incident. She said that the community around the refinery site had been diverted to a safer location. However, last night all the people had returned to their homes.

“We will prepare a medical team if necessary. The community is Pertamina’s top priority. I thank the Pertamina team and all parties at the regional and central levels. We make sure that fuel and LPG supplies are not disrupted, and our refineries operate normally,” said Nicke.