Balikpapan Dust from Pertamina Refinery Declared Safe, Government Demands Operational Review

Laboratory test results on dust particles originating from the Pertamina refinery area in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, have been declared safe. The Balikpapan City Environmental Agency (DLH) confirmed that all parameters were within normal ambient air quality standards, following complaints from local residents.

Despite the safe results, the city government has requested PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its standard operating procedures. The Head of DLH Balikpapan, Sudirman Djayaleksana, stated that the company must review its operational procedures to prevent similar occurrences in the future, particularly during commissioning processes or other activities with potential environmental impacts.

PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan’s VP Legal & Relation confirmed that all recommendations from the Environmental Agency and Health Agency have been implemented. The company will continue to coordinate closely with the government and local communities as it advances the National Strategic Project, which includes the revitalisation of the existing refinery and construction of new processing units and supporting infrastructure.