Nine people were injured in an explosion at an oil refinery owned by Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas firm, PT Pertamina, in Riau province on Saturday night. The incident took place in Dumai town before midnight, with seven of the injured still being treated in a hospital, while the other two had returned home. The provincial police chief, Inspector General Muhammad Iqbal, confirmed that the fire had been put out and the situation was under control.
The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined. However, reports suggest that the incident happened in the crude oil unit of the refinery. According to PT Pertamina, the refinery has a capacity of 170,000 barrels per day and produces various products, including gasoline, diesel, and LPG.
This is not the first time PT Pertamina’s refinery in Riau province has faced an explosion. In 2019, an explosion occurred at the same refinery, which killed one person and injured several others. The incident had happened in the hydrocracker unit of the refinery, which produces high-grade diesel from crude oil.
The explosion comes at a time when Indonesia is grappling with a surge in COVID-19 cases, with the country’s capital, Jakarta, and surrounding areas under partial lockdown. The country’s economy has also been hit hard by the pandemic, with businesses shutting down, and many people losing their jobs.
The incident is likely to have an impact on Indonesia’s oil and gas sector, which has already been struggling due to the pandemic and falling oil prices. The country is heavily reliant on its oil and gas sector, which contributes to a significant portion of its export earnings. Indonesia has been trying to boost its refining capacity in recent years, as it seeks to reduce its dependence on fuel imports.
PT Pertamina has been working on upgrading its refineries to boost their efficiency and capacity. The firm is also looking to expand its downstream business, including petrochemicals and lubricants, to reduce its reliance on oil and gas exports. However, the pandemic has disrupted the firm’s plans, as demand for fuel and other products has declined sharply.
The Indonesian government has been trying to attract more investments into the country’s energy sector, including from foreign firms. It has also been pushing for greater use of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, in order to reduce its carbon emissions. However, progress has been slow, with many investors wary of the country’s regulatory environment and infrastructure challenges.
The explosion at PT Pertamina’s refinery underscores the risks associated with the country’s oil and gas sector. Despite efforts to improve safety standards and regulations, accidents and incidents continue to occur, putting workers and communities at risk. The incident is a reminder of the need for greater investment in safety and infrastructure, as well as an acceleration in the shift towards renewable energy.
