BPPT Decides Lapindo Mud is Natural Disaster
Tuesday, 18 March, 2008 | 16:02 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Agency for the Assessment & Application of Technology (BPPT) declared the outpouring of mud from Lapindo in Sidoarjo, East Java, as volcanic mud and a natural phenomenon. This conclusion resulted from BPPT's research with related institutions at the seminars on 6 October 2006 and 20-21 February 2007.

“Our recommendation is that Lapindo mud is a natural disaster,” said Minister of Research and Technology, Kusmayanto Kadiman, in a meeting with House Commission VII, led by Vice President of the Commission Sultan Batoeghana, from the Democratic Faction, yesterday.

This conclusion is a different opinion than Professor of Rudi Rubiandini (former head of the investigative team, established by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry). In the previous discussion, he declared that scientifically the mud that spewed out is because of human error.

Kusmayanto said that BPPT's data and analysis were based on the mud source at a depth of 1,000 – 2,000 meters below the surface. Mud reached the surface because of natural phenomenon, which was tectonic activity and geological aspects related to geohydrological and geothermal conditions.

That mud, said the former Rector for Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), happened in an area known as active tectonic area. Geologically, he continued, it was called the Kendeng Line, that could easily disturb tectonic activity so that the result would create some rocks below the surface to exert more pressure.

The mud spurt is closely related to the earthquake in Yogyakarta and Central Java on 27 May 2006. The mud spewed not long after the earthquake on 29 May 2006. The earthquake, he said, influenced fluid productivity in wells around Banjar Panji 1 (such as the Carat Well) along with the activity increase of Mount Merapi. The earthquake also activated Mount Semeru's activity on 29 May 2006, signaled by a hot cloud. “This conclusion resulted from NASA's data and analysis,” said Kusmayanto.

BPPT also concluded the eruption peak of sulfur gas (H2S) and methane (CH4) from the mud, always were together with the earthquake with a magnitude of more than 3.7, and an epicenter 300 kilometers from the center of the mud eruption. Mud eruption happened through the 600 meters long crack. “It is impossible to be caused by the drilling, but by the earth’s activity resulting from deviating from re-activation due to the earthquake”, he said.

Kusmayanto said the seminar on 20-21 February 2007 recommended the mud spurt to be decided as a natural disaster and handled by the state. BPPT also said the old mud spray area and sunken area as an improper living area.

Alvin Lie, a member of Commission VII for the energy issue from the PAN faction, suggested this recommendation be proposed to the government, not to the House of Representatives (DPR). The government also needs to convince the public that the recommendation is scientifically accountable. “Otherwise, the government's credibility will sink in the mud,” he said.

KURNIASIH BUDI | Sudrajat