InvestigToxic Gas Leaking, Energy Ministry Suspends Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power Plantasi Paparan Gas H2S, Kementerian ESDM Hentikan Sementara Aktivitas PLTP Sorik Marapi

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 036.Pers/04/SJI/2021

Date: 26 January 2021

Toxic Gas Leaking, Energy Ministry Suspends Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power Plant

The developer of Sorik Marapi geothermal field in Mandailing Natal Regency of North Sumatra Province, PT Sorik Marapi Geothermal Power (SMGP), has reported that a leakage of gas, presumably hydrogen sulfide (H2S), occurred on Monday (25/1). The leakage occurred during well discharge of well number SM T02 at the Unit II of geothermal power plant (PLTP) Sorik Marapi.

At about 12.00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), well discharge was carried out to channel steam to the silencer for cleaning before steam was sent to the power plant. At 12.30 p.m. WIB, however, several villagers passed out. These people were working at their rice fields which are located about 300 meters-500 meters away from the geothermal field. Gas detectors set near the geothermal field did not detect H2S gas leak. PT SMGP decided to immediately close the well.

Emergency response has been focused on helping the locals. As of the time of writing, fifteen people are being treated at the local hospital RSUD Panyabungan and five people died. PT SMGP has reported the incident to the central government, regional governments, and the police.

Geothermal Director of Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR), Ida Nuryatin Finahari, in an official release on Tuesday (26/1) stated that the ministry has issued a temporary suspension for PT SMGP activities, including suspension of Unit I operation (45 MW), drilling of 2 rig units, and all development activities of Unit II. Geothermal Inspectors are scheduled to leave for Mandailing Natal on Tuesday (26/1) to investigate the incident.

Well discharge is a phase in a geothermal power plant operation. Actually, well discharge is carried out under a strict procedure. Before the well discharge started, for example, PT SMGP had disseminated important information to all workers and communities, evacuated all workers from the wellpad, set safe perimeter limits, equipped the well test team with Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and gas detectors, and made final sweeping. (IY)

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation

Agung Pribadi (08112213555)

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