RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Historically, Exploration and Production (E&P) operators' environmental philosophy was a consequence of environmental damages, actual and perceived, caused by hydrocarbon spills. Pertamina/Maxus Southeast Sumatra, Inc. (Maxus), the largest offshore E and P operator in Indonesia has adopted a proactive philosophy as we operate offshore production and shipping facilities immediately adjacent to the Pulan Seribu (Thousand Island) National Marine Park and approximately 30 kilometers from the Southeast Sumatra coast. These ecosystems are of great concern to Indonesia and Maxus as they comprise approximately 250 km of tropical, sparsely inhabited coastline, 106 coral and lagoon islands, and habitats for numerous endangered species.
This paper describes the contract zone within which Maxus operates; the environmental risks associated with E&P in this region; and Maxus' response to management of those risks. A significant component of Maxus' overall response has been the ESACOC project (Environmental Sensitivity and characterisation of Crude) undertaken during 1993. ESACOC is described here in regard to the use and interrelation of remote sensing, indepth laboratory studies, and development of new sensitivity rankings techniques into one computer program for effective environmental and oil spill management. ESACOC illustrates the synthesis of seemingly diverse and unrelated data to develop an effective environmental management plan.
REGION AND RISKS
The petroleum industry has been the foundation of the Indonesian economic development from the first Five Year Development Plan (1969). The industry's contribution to GNP has ranged from a high of 70 percent to a current level of just below 40 percent. But even with these contributions Indonesia retains a lesser developed nation with a per capita income of approximately USD $ 680 per year. The majority of the inhabitants resident in coastal areas adjoining the Maxus SES contract area are subsistent fishermen or fish farmers. These facts should not give the impression that Indonesia is economically stagnant. Indonesia has one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. Indonesian coastal resources have seen the strongest growth with the onset of ecotourism's, siting of new ports and energy facilities and aquacultural development; particularly along the coasts of Java and Southeast Sumatra.
With this rapid economic development adverse environmental impact has followed. In Pulau Seribu the chief cause of degradation has been identified as human activity. Much of the island activity is centred around three islands.
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