Land Conversion for Oil Refinery Plant Area in Jenu District, Tuban Regency, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

This article examines the construction of the Tuban-based oil refinery plant that processes crude oil into petroleum products as raw materials for fuel oil and the petrochemical industry. In 2015, the plan was to build an oil refinery in Tuban Regency, specifically in Jenu District. The land in Jenu District was chosen because it requires approximately 840 hectares of land. The construction of an oil refinery in Tuban is one of the list of national strategic projects. The regulations are contained in Presidential Regulation Number 3 of 2016 concerning the Acceleration of Implementation of National Strategic Projects. In 2016 the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources gave the mandate to manage this project to Pertamina. The need for a large area of land prompted Pertamina to submit an application to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for obtaining 328 hectares of state lands. The area is strategic because it is close to the existing fuel installation supporting facilities. The conversion of land for the construction and development of an oil refinery in Jenu District, Tuban Regency, caused environmental damage and gave rise to social problems.