PETRONAS is consolidating the final report on the pipeline explosion incident that happened on June 10 last year at KP135 Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline near Lawas.
Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said Petronas was working closely with third party consultants and the authorities concerned.
“Based on the findings, the most likely cause of the incident was soil movement which affected the integrity of the pipeline at the site.
“These findings have been communicated to the people living in the vicinity through more than 30 engagement sessions,” he said in his winding-up speech yesterday.
Awang Tengah was responding to a point raised by Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian, who highlighted the great concern and fears of the local people on Petronas pipeline that passed through many villages in his constituency.
“Although I have been briefed constantly by Petronas executives and representatives in Sarawak on the progress of the investigation and what has been done so far, the people are demanding to have the report on the explosion made public and the assurance that this kind of explosion will not recur.
“Can the minister in-charge give us the assurance that this will be done? Secondly, many claims of native customary rights (NCR) along the right of way (ROW) are denied and still pending arbitration hearing. I urge the relevant authorities to expedite these hearings and pay compensation accordingly,” Baru, who is state PKR chairman said during his debate speech.
Awang Tengah said that rectification work, including slope stabilisation was being carried out, adding that to prevent any recurrence of similar incident, Petronas was conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the pipeline which required an in-depth study and systematic test to ensure the integrity of the pipeline, and also exploring the possibility of an alternative pipeline route for the affected site.
“Petronas assures that the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) requirements and the International Good Oilfield Practices will be strictly complied with in undertaking the rectification works to prevent a similar incident from recurring in the future.”
In response to the points raised by Lingga assemblywoman Simoi Peri, Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo and Semop assemblyman Abdullah Saidol, Awg Tengah said Petronas had agreed in principle to increase the quota of natural gas for downstream activities in Sarawak.
“The state government will continue with the negotiation to ensure that the downstream industry, can be expanded.”