Chieng (fourth left) hands over key to Abdul Aziz, while Lee (fifth left), Ting (second right) and others look on.
MIRI: A task force to look into abandoned oil wells in and around the city was set up yesterday, with Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin as adviser and acting Miri Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf the chairman.
Others included in the committee are officials from Minerals and Geoscience Department, Natural Resources and Environmental Board, Land and Survey Department, Miri City Council, Sarawak Museum Department, Curtin University Malaysia, Petros, Sarawak Shell, Petronas, Fire and Rescue Dept, Civil Defence Force, Unit Komunikasi Awam Sarawak, and the police.
Speaking to reporters after the first task force meeting yesterday, Lee said they had been tasked to get data on abandoned oil wells here, working together with Shell and Petronas to identify and obtain info on the wells’ location.
“If the wells are sited in public places, the team will go there and conduct proper studies. We need to find out the cause of gas and oil seepages, whether it is from the well itself or due to broken or damaged seals,” he told reporters.
Should any of the well heads are found to be damaged or broken due to erosion or any other elements, the task force would recommend them to be restored and sealed properly, he added.
Earlier, Lee witnessed the handing over of a key to a fence around an abandoned well on Canada Hill, that has been emitting natural gas.
The key was handed over to Miri Resident as the ‘gate-keeper’ by Sarawak Shell’s general manager, Jill Chieng.
“Thanks to Shell for fencing up the area. This is for public safety as the gas is a safety hazard,” Lee said.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Sebastian Ting was also present at the handing over of the key.