Leaking Pipes, Lapindo Guarantees Normal Gas Network Supply

    Lapindo Brantas shut-in (manually shut down the well) to the Tanggulangin well (TGA) 5 after a leak in the distribution pipe leading to the existing gas plant TGA 3. Even so, Lapindo Brantas guarantees that the supply for the Gas Network for residents is not disrupted because it is diverted immediately. to wells TGA 1 and TGA 2.

    Vice President Operations of PT Lapindo Brantas Inc Harsa Harjana, said that although there were wells that had to be shut-in, the supply for the Gastrointestinal Network program was not disrupted. We supply gas from other wells. We are currently preparing to repair the leaky pipe so that the TGA 5 well can return to production soon.

    This was done by Lapindo Brantas after residents' concerns that the gas supply for the Gas Network program would experience disruption. As is known, Pertagas is completing the Gass around 3,850 house connections (SR) program for residents of Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo.

    Gas for the Gas Network program is taken from the Lapindo Brantas well at Tanggulangin. However, there was a pipe leak that occurred last Friday (15/10), to be precise around 22.00. At that time Marsam, a resident of Kalidawir, saw a bubble and water coming out with mud from the river.

"Because the leaky pipe is at the bottom of the river, a bubbling appears and the water comes out along with the mud from the riverbed which is carried by the gas looking for a way out," said Harsa Harjana.

    Receiving the report, Chusnul Maab as the Lapindo Brantas Production Operator immediately checked the pressure of the TGA 5 well. From the data in the Gas Flow Computer, it can be seen that the gas pressure has indeed dropped, indicating a leak in the gas pipe. 

    Because of that, shut-in was immediately carried out at the TGA 5 well. In less than 30 minutes the gas flow could be stopped to minimize the risk. Around 23.00 the bubble and the water mixed with mud that had come out had stopped completely.

    Harsa explained that the leaking pipe was under the river that flows in Kalidawir Village. The provisional estimate is that the leaking pipe is at the end of the pipe under river water, at a depth of 2 meters from the river bed to be precise.

"It is suspected that the leak was due to the accumulation of water carried by the gas in the 'U' shape of the pipe. Therefore, we will not repair the old pipe under the river. Instead, replace it with a new pipe and move its position to be above the river.

    Lapindo would like to thank Mr. Marsam who was immediately responsive in reporting so that the pipe leak could be handled immediately. This shows that communication between Lapindo and residents has been well established, "he said.

    At that time, Lapindo Brantas was indeed sending 10 MMSCFD of gas as requested by Pertagas Niaga. At that time the pressure should be 570 Psig, but on the screen, the pressure is only 278 Psig.

"So because the leak is fine, the leak does not directly affect the safety valve in the TGA 5 well, so there is no automatic shutdown.

Surabaya Pagi, Page-7, Monday, Oct 24, 2016