- The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources issued an instruction letter to temporarily suspend drilling and flow testing activities for PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power (SMGP).
- PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power (SMGP) reported that on April 24, 2022, there was a blowout followed by the release of H2S gas during the drilling of the T-12 geothermal well.
- The Directorate General of EBTKE, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources immediately issued five recommendations for handling.
With a blowout followed by the release of H2S gas during the drilling process for the T-12 geothermal well, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources issued an instruction letter to temporarily suspend drilling and flow testing activities for PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power (SMGP).
PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power (SMGP), which is the developer of the Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power project, reported that on April 24, 2022, there was a blowout followed by the release of H2S gas during the drilling of the T-12 geothermal well.
Blasting is one of the potential hazards that can occur in drilling activities, so procedures and equipment for prevention must also be well prepared.
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The drilling of the T-12 well began on April 20, 2022 and is planned to last for 44 days with a target depth of 2700 m. The Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power Plant currently operates 2 generating units with a generating capacity of 90 MW, which helps increase the reliability of the North Sumatra electricity transmission network. In the context of developing the Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power Plant Unit III, SMGP carried out drilling activities for geothermal wells, one of which was the T-12 well for the supply of steam for Geothermal Power Plant Unit III.
Currently, the team from the Directorate General of EBTKE at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in collaboration with the SMGP team and the North Sumatra Police are conducting an investigation to find the main cause of the well kick. From the search for drilling data, the cause of the emergence of wild bursts is thought to have come from the T-11 well, which is approximately 7 meters from the T-12 well. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources team continues to investigate to find the cause of the wild outburst.
SMGP will always prioritize the safety of residents and workers. Regarding the direct impact of the mudflow, SMGP is responsible and continues to take countermeasures in collaboration with the community.
SMGP also regrets the incident of beating and looting by unscrupulous residents that occurred on April 24, 2022 at the location of this geothermal power project which endangered the workers, and had an impact on the established commercial operation schedule. Therefore, SMGP condemns all such violent acts and behavior. SMGP hopes that local residents will remain calm and continue to work together to create a conducive atmosphere.
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As for the incident, some residents in Sibanggor Julu Village, Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra were forced to be rushed to the hospital because they were suspected of being exposed to toxic gases. As a result of this incident, it was reported that 19 community members and 2 drilling crews were exposed to H2S gas that came from wild bursts.
Receiving the incident report, the Directorate General of EBTKE, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources immediately issued five recommendations for handling. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has also formed an Investigation Team of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources which is today at the location to conduct an investigation. The Director of Geothermal/Head of Geothermal Inspector has also issued a letter of instruction to temporarily stop drilling and test flow wells at SMGP with consideration of safety and environmental protection aspects.
SMGP’s efforts to deal with wild eruptions were effective, and the bursts gradually subsided until at 16.40 WIB, the well was fully controlled. One of the government’s efforts in dealing with this problem is to focus on providing optimal care to victims affected by exposure to H2S gas. Currently, the victim’s health condition is getting better and several residents have been allowed to return home.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources hopes that all parties can maintain a conducive situation so that recovery efforts can run smoothly. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will also take firm steps to enforce geothermal K3LL regulations in order to create a safe and eco-friendly geothermal industry.
Editor: Riana Nurhasanah
References:
[1]Respon Kementerian ESDM Atas Kejadian Well Kick di Proyek Panas Bumi Sorik Marapi
[2]Kebocoran Gas PLTP Sorik Marapi Berulang, Ini Kata Manajemen
[3]Blow Out! Pemerintah Hentikan Sementara Operasi PLTP Sorik Ma
