The production loss is estimated at around 400 thousand barrels since it cannot be supplied from the refineryJakarta (ANTARA) - Some 400 thousand barrels of oil of Indonesia's state-owned oil company PT Pertamina (Persero) were lost following a major fire at the Balongan Refinery, Indramayu, West Java, on Monday, at 00:45 a.m. local time.
"The production loss is estimated at around 400 thousand barrels since it cannot be supplied from the refinery," Pertamina's Logistics and Infrastructure Director, Mulyono, noted in a statement here, Monday.
The company proceeded with a normal shutdown soon after the fire erupted. The Balongan Refinery is expected to be operating normally again in the next four to five days.
During the termination of operations, Pertamina will supply fuel for the community from several refineries and fuel terminals, one of which is the Cilacap Refinery and the Trans Pacific Petrochemical Indotama (TPPI) Refinery.
The Cilacap refinery will boost production to 300 thousand barrels and the TPPI refinery by 500 thousand barrels.
Pertamina continues to probe the cause of the fire and is focused on handling the emergency situation.
The company claims to have been able to localize the fire inside the bund wall by using foam to prevent the flames from spreading to other areas.
Pertamina, in cooperation with the district governments of Indramayu and Cirebon, deployed 10 fire engines.
The fire broke out at the T-301G tank amid torrential rains accompanied by lightning.
The flames could be seen at a distance of five kilometers.
Hundreds of residents, earlier evacuated to a safe place, away from the location of the fire, have now gradually begun returning to their respective homes.
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Translator: Sugiharto, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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