Lawas explosion: Petronas to completely remove residual gas
New Straits Times Online, 13 June 2014
KUALA LUMPUR: While investigations into the cause of the fire incident at the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) was ongoing, Petronas today announced that it will conduct a process to completely remove residual gas in the affected section of the pipeline tomorrow.
Petronas in a statement today, said that the safety measure known as ‘blowdown’ was a measure prior to the commencement of the repair work.
The process, which is for scheduled tomorrow from noon to 3.00 pm, will take place near Merapok in Lawas, Sarawak while relevant authorities including Fire and Rescue Department, Royal Malaysian Police and Lawas District Office have been notified.
Members of the public are advised not to be unduly alarmed upon hearing continuous loud sound throughout the process.
Petronas had also assured the public that the removed gas is harmless and the process will not affect the environment or public health as it is a controlled release.
Petronas also assured that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that the incident area is secure and safe. It also at all time adheres to stringent safety measures in line with international standards at all of its operations.
In addition, Petronas will continue to engage the communities around the incident area and provide them information on the current situation.
The fire incident at the SSGP occurred around 2.00 am on June 10, in Lawas, Sarawak, about 135km from the Sabah Oil & Gas Terminal (SOGT) in Kimanis, Sabah.
On the investigation Petronas said that it was on-going and a forensic team from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Putrajaya had carried out required assessment.
