Synergy to Cleanup Oil Spill
Balikpapan, 4 April 2018 - Around 1000 personnel work together to recover the oil spills in Balikpapan Bay. Pertamina uses oil skimmer ship tp absord the remaining oil spilled on water surface. Previously, Pertamina uses oil boom to hoard oil spills, to facilitate the absorbance process.
Near shoreline, Pertamina uses vacuum truck in the oil absorbance process. The absorbed oil will be process on the same way, as its was process using oil skimmer.
To clean up oil spills near the jetty, Pertamina uses absorbent that is spread on top of the oil spills. The oil will be absorbed by the absorbent material that will allow it to be removed when the absorbent is collected.. The oil soaked absorbents can be then collected manually.
The recovery process was done by Pertamina by cooperating with others oil company in Balikpapan, Pertamina Hulu Mahakam, Pertamina EP Asset V, and Petrosea, that also has supporting facilities and skill on oil spill recovery.
Pertamina Hulu Mahakam sent out Utility Boat Forissa 811 and Tranko Celebes Ship equipped with oil boom and skimmer, along with its person in charge. Pertamina EP Asset V provided Oil Spill Dispersant (OSD), Oil Boom, and Oil Skimmer, and also sent out their worker. Petrosea lent Elastic Oil Spill Response.
Since Saturday (31/3), 70 personnel have been sent out by Pertamina to localize oil spills using oil boom so its not spread out and break down oil spills on water using oil dispersant. The oil spill then can be collected, transported, and treated as hazardous waste. This activity was conducted at Semayang harbor, Pertamina’s Jetty, and Kampung Atas Air Margasari.
Region Manager of Communication and CSR, Yudi Nugraha, explains, "Not just focusing on the cleaning of Balikpapan Bay, Pertamina also conduct activities to minimize oil spill impacts to the community and surrounding environment". Until Tuesday (03/04), Pertamina has distributed 5000 masks for the community in some areas. In addition, cooperating with the community, especially in Kampung Baru Ulu and Kampung Atas Air Margasari, Pertamina formed a task force to support environmental recovery effort.
The shore restoration was done by around 400 under graduates students of STT Migas, 300 member of Indonesian Military and National Police, and local residents. The cleaning process was done manually for it is more efficient to hoard oil on the shore. Local community was equipped with protection gear such as gloves and masks.
To improve the health of affected residents, Pertamina in cooperation with Rumah Sakit Pertamina Balikpapan opened health post in Kampung Baru Ulu and Kampung Atas Air, and providing medical team for medical check services in another location. The health post serve free medical check up dan treatment.