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Lapindo forced to suspend boring in East Java

Jakarta Post - January 11, 2016

Lapindo Brantas to resume Sidoarjo drilling – Jakarta Post. January 7, 2016
In surprise move, government bankrolls Bakries in Lapindo disaster – Jakarta Post. December 19, 2014
Government to take over Lapindo's liabilities – Jakarta Post. December 9, 2014
Aburizal could be forced to settle Lapindo mudflow – Jakarta Post. September 30, 2014
Endless mudflow breeds political apathy among Porong residents - Jakarta Post. March 4, 2013

Oil and gas exploration company Lapindo Brantas has suspended operations in East Java's Sidoarjo regency, where people are still traumatized by the mudflow disaster blamed on the company's previous exploration activities.

"All heavy equipment in the drilling location will be taken out today pending a decision from the central government," Sidoarjo Police chief Anwar Nasir said on Monday, as quoted by news portal kompas.com.

The government earlier decided to stop Lapindo's operations due to safety concerns, saying it would reevaluate the safety, geological and social aspects of the drilling.

Nine years ago, a rice paddy in eastern Java suddenly cleaved open and began spewing steaming mud. Before long, it covered an area twice the size of Central Park; roads, factories and homes disappeared under a tide of reeking muck. Twenty lives were lost and nearly 40,000 people displaced, with damages topping $2.7 billion.

The company, which is linked to Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie, recently announced plans to re-start drilling in March with a target of producing five million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMSCFD). The new drilling area is located only two kilometers from areas of the mudflow. (cal/dan).(+)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/11/lapindo-forced-suspend-boring-east-java.html.