TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned gas company PGN set to add more gas supply for steam and gas power plant (PLTGU) Cilegon, Banten owned state-owned electricity company PLN which damaged due to the leak of gas pipe of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The incident occurred on Monday, July 9 and stopped the gas stock that averagely reached 56 billion British thermal unit per day (BBTUD).
“PGN temporarily is able to supply up to 60 BBTUD to PLTGU Cilegon. So we are ready to provide the gas should it is necessary to keep the electricity supply for the community,” said PGN secretary Rachmat Hutama today in a written statement, Jakarta.
PLTGU Cirebon supplied electricity to Java Bali power plant at 150 Kva with the need of gas supply at 120 BBTUD. As the contract, CNOOC stored gas to PLTGU Cilegon at 60-90 BBTUD. While PGN stockpile gas 27.27-40 BBTUD for the needs of the power plant.
The pipe leak was located 1.5 kilometers from the shore of Cilegon. The gas pressure was reduced two hours after that. Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry deployed diving teams to investigate the cause directly.
The ministry’s director for technic and environment Suryaningsih assumed the facility experienced leaks due to struck by ship’s anchor. “It’s because of external force. Highly possible due to ship’s anchor,” he told Tempo. He predicted the environmental damage would be low considering the material did not consist of poisonous condensates for sea ecosystems.
The head of the communication program at the Special Task Force for the Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas), Wisnu Prabawa Taher, stated the joint team has been deployed to investigate the leak.
PLN, meanwhile, has yet given any statement despite PGN that set to add the supply. “The supply can be provided at any time, but PGN is currently waiting for confirmation from PLN,” Rachmat said.
FAJAR PEBRIANTO