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Lessons from Major Accident Hazards (MAH)

Cilacap Refinery Fire & Explosion (Indonesia, 2021)

Storage tank in Pertamina Cilacap Refinery burst into flames (source: Kompas.com)

Storage tank in Pertamina Cilacap Refinery burst into flames (source: Kompas.com)

A concise case study of multiple fire incidents in 2021 Cilcacap Refinery storage tanks, breaking down the immediate ignition causes, underlying asset vulnerabilities, and critical fire protection lessons learned to prevent repeated storage facility escalations.

Incident Overview


Location: Cilacap, Indonesia

Date: May 2021 and November 2021

Facility: Refinery Tank Area

Type: Fire

Chronology

A fire occurred in two storage tank area and required extensive emergency response efforts to prevent escalation.


Fact Findings

  • Fatalities: None reported

  • Injuries: Limited

  • Financial Impact: Significant asset damage

  • Production Impact: Operational disturbances

  • Recovery Duration: Several weeks

Immediate Causes

Underlying Causes

  • Hydrocarbon ignition within storage facilities.

  • Integrity and fire protection vulnerabilities.

  • Need for enhanced preventive maintenance.


Key Lessons Learned

  • Regular inspection of storage assets is essential.

  • Early detection significantly reduces escalation.

  • Tank emergency response plans must be periodically validated.

  • Asset integrity and fire protection are inseparable.

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