Caltex denies using explosives in exploration activities

PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia denied the accusation that the company used "seismic" explosives in its oil exploration activities in Riau, Detik.com reported on Tuesday.

The company's public relations and media communications manager Poedyo Oetomo said on Monday that all the oil giant's seismic operation was conducted according to international standards. " We assure the Riau people that the charge that Caltex uses bombs in conducting its oil exploration activities is groundless," he added.

He said that the company has for long time adopted strict environmental standards in conducting oil exploration and production activities in the province to ensure that the quality of the air, water and earth would remain safe in accordance with the standards set by the government.

Andreas Heru Khahurifan, the secretary general of the Institution for the Indonesian Forestry Studies (LPHI), said last week that the oil giant used "seismic" explosives in its exploration activities on its shore oil fields in the province.

He said that the use of such bombs should be stopped because the impact of the explosion would damage the land and its fertility within a radius of 40 kilometers. "If the company continues using the explosives for its exploration, all parts of the province's land will become barren," Andreas said. (*)