Enviro News Asia, Riau — Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) Moh Jumhur Hidayat inspected the progress of environmental restoration at sites contaminated by hazardous and toxic materials (B3) managed by PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) in Riau on Saturday (August 15, 2026).
The visit focused on reviewing the implementation of Environmental Function Restoration (FLH) and evaluating PHR’s compliance with its environmental management commitments in the Rokan Working Area (WK Rokan).
During the field inspection, Jumhur urged PHR to remain consistent in fulfilling its obligations to restore oil-contaminated land. The ministry is monitoring the restoration process to ensure that environmental recovery is carried out in accordance with applicable standards while protecting surrounding communities and ecosystems.
A total of 250 sites across the WK Rokan have been identified for restoration. They include 220 sites in Siak Regency, 17 in Bengkalis Regency, six in Pekanbaru, six in Rokan Hilir Regency and one in Kampar Regency. Most of the sites are located within community-owned oil palm plantations, while 42 sites are situated in sensitive areas, including conservation areas, nature reserves and forest areas.
As of the latest assessment, 17 sites have completed restoration, while three sites are undergoing the issuance of certificates confirming the completion of contaminated land restoration. Another 43 sites are undergoing physical restoration activities, while restoration plans for 46 sites are being processed, including revisions required for some locations. The remaining 141 sites are still in the process of securing land access.
Overall, completed physical restoration activities and sites with approved restoration plans cover approximately 1,206,568 square meters, involving an estimated 682,494 cubic meters of contaminated material, equivalent to around 1,031,633 tonnes.
During the visit, Jumhur inspected two priority locations in Minas: Minas 6E-27 and Minas 8C-83/WTT in the Sultan Syarif Hasyim Forest Park (Tahura SSH).
At Minas 6E-27, restoration of oil-contaminated soil originating from historical oil spills at a production well drilled in 1990 has been completed. The nine-month restoration covered 1.2 hectares and handled 13,139 tonnes of contaminated soil. Of this amount, 12,571 tonnes were treated through onsite bioremediation, while 568 tonnes were transferred to a licensed hazardous waste management facility.
Following an evaluation in February 2026, the site was declared to have met environmental quality standards. A certificate confirming completion of the restoration was issued on April 22, 2026. The restored land has since been returned to community use for cultivating oil palm, cassava and bananas and is equipped with groundwater quality monitoring wells.
At Minas 8C-83/WTT in Tahura SSH, the contaminated area covers approximately 26,886 square meters, with an estimated 42,911 tonnes of oil-contaminated soil. Geological studies indicate that the contamination may also be influenced by natural or geogenic factors.
Physical excavation activities at 22 grids were temporarily suspended to prevent wider damage to vegetation and disruption to the Takuana tributary. As an emergency response and mitigation measure, seepage areas have been cleaned and covered with empty oil palm fruit bunches, while controlled treatment has been carried out at the collection station.
KLH/BPLH said it would continue monitoring every stage of oil-contaminated land restoration in the WK Rokan, emphasizing precautionary principles, legal certainty and ecosystem protection to safeguard the environment and surrounding communities. (*)
