KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) confirms that the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) suffered a pipe rupture and fire today.
In a statement, the national oil company said the rupture and ensuing fire occurred four kilometres from Long Selulong, Ulu Baram Miri at 1:59am this morning.
“The fire has been put under control and Petronas is closely monitoring the situation.
We would like to inform that no injuries were reported. The relevant authorities have been notified and we will continue to engage with the communities in the surrounding area.
An investigation on the incident is currently ongoing and we wish to assure the public that the safety of the people and environment remains our utmost priority and concern,” Petronas said.
Meanwhile, Selangau MP and works minister Baru Bian expressed his shock over the incident. Baru Bian said there were five Penan villages near the pipeline. The villages are Long Kawa, Long Siang, Ba Selulung, Long Kevok and Long Urang.
The minister shared that the Block Valve 112 (BV112) of the SSGP was closed at 1:59am, as pressure at both the upstream and downstream sections of BV112 indicated a pipeline leakage and rupture.
He continued to say that Block Valve 111 (BV111) was closed at 2:03am manually from Conradson Carbon Residue (CCR), as a result of rapidly dropping pressure.
Following this, the Block Valve 105 (BV105) was fully closed at 2:48am.
BV111 and BV112 are located at Pa Tebulo/Arur Kenangan and Low Kawa respectively. According to the Marudi Police Chief, three pipelines were fully sealed and secured before 3:00am today.
“I was further informed that this incident has caused much uneasiness and triggered fear for many of the residents in close proximity to the pipelines. I am very concerned as this is the fourth incident after the one at Long Segaman, Lawa, in early May last year.
Again, I request for a swift and thorough investigation into how fires can erupt along the pipeline, and that I be fully briefed of the same soonest” the minister said.