While issuing a press statement in Cilacap on Tuesday, communication relations and CSR area manager of PT KPI RU IV Cilacap, Cecep Supriyatna, said that based on observations, the spill involved crude oil and the estimated volume was 1,900 liters.
"As for the cause, it is still under investigation," he added.
Before the spill was detected, oil was loaded from a pipeline to a tanker in Area 70 of Pertamina Cilacap, he informed.
"Staff in Area 70 are looking for the source of the oil spill," he said.
The PT KPI RU IV Cilacap team will try to localize the oil spill by using an oil boom if weather conditions are favorable, he added.
Once localized, the spilled oil would be sucked and separated from water by an oil skimmer before being put back into the tank.
"Since last night, we have been cleaning as much as possible because it is the wind and wave conditions, so it is not optimal," Supriyatna said.
Based on drone monitoring, the area affected by the oil spill is not very wide, he added. "Only around Batre Pier or Wijayapura," he informed.
The refinery will compensate residents participating in efforts to clean up and collect the spilled oil.
"At the moment, we are still focusing on handling efforts. We will also coordinate with the Environment Office regarding the next steps," he said.
Earlier, chairman of the Indonesian Fishers Association (HNSI) of Cilacap, Sarjono, said that a fisherman had detected the oil spill at 5:30 p.m. local time on Monday (June 27, 2022), and by 7 p.m., it had begun to smell pungent.
Related news: West Java's Karawang waters again polluted by Pertamina's oil spill
Related news: Pertamina to compensate fishermen, residents affected by oil spill
Translator: Sumarwoto, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
