Publications

EMP Malacca Strait S.A. (EMPMSSA) has been operating Malacca Strait PSC in two main areas: an offshore area at Lalang Strait and an onshore area at Padang and Tebing Tinggi islands. Several other industries, such as pulp and paper and the agro industry, operate in the Lalang Strait area. The local community utilizes the Lalang Strait as a source of livelihood as fishermen. The onshore operations area is dominated mainly by peat soil that during dry season is prone to wildfire, some of which are caused by illegal land clearing or farming. The emergency response partnership in the area is with various industries and local government, which is found very challenging during an emergency situation because of a well-organized collaboration among various industries within an urgent situation. During 2014, several emergency situation had occured around EMPMSSA operated area. Firstly, on May 2014, while drilling BA-07 Well (PT. Petro Selat Ltd), an uncontrolled flow occurred, releasing oil into the Sungairawa Riverine. EMPMSSA provided support to handle the oil spill by sending spill equipment and personnel. The oil spill was successfully contained before the spill contaminated the biotic aquatic resources, which could have affected the locals’ livelihood economically. The second, during January–March 2014, EMPMSSA, in a joint effort with Pertamina UP II Sei Pakning, handled a forest and peat land fire in EMPMSSA operated. The industrial around the Lalang Strait area is rapidly growing and a cooperation and coordination mechanism is needed to be regulated in the form of official guidelines where local government involvement is essential in handling emergency situations. With a partnership, an emergency can be handled faster and more efficient. As in the case of the BA-07 Well (PT Petro Selat Ltd), the partnership successfully preventing contamination from occurring in the Lalang Strait, with handling cost approximately at US $13,605 (EMPMSSA), and PT Petro Selat Ltd minimized further losses (environmental damage). Forest and peat land fires from January–March 2014, caused EMPMSSA losses of approximately US $791,000 with 5,843 bbl lost in oil production. In partnership with Pertamina UP II Sei Pakning, more losses could be avoided.