Latest news with #PermittoOperate
The Star
20-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Drones to monitor gas pipelines
Penang govt will tighten efforts to prevent situation like Putra Heights from occurring GEORGE TOWN: Penang, which has 42km of gas pipelines running through its territory, will use drones to monitor these areas every week. The monitoring work would be conducted by the PETRONAS regional office in Gurun, Kedah, said state infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari. The pipelines, which are owned by PETRONAS, extends from the Sungai Kerian border, passing through Parit Buntar in Perak and continuing through Relau in Kedah, as well as Machang Bubuk, Mengkuang, Ara Kuda, Kampung Selamat and Pinang Tunggal, before crossing Sungai Muda to re-enter Kedah. 'The Penang government will continue to tighten monitoring and enforcement efforts to prevent any incident like the one in Putra Heights from happening,' he told the state assembly sitting yesterday. On April 1, a gas pipeline leak triggered an explosion and fire that damaged about 120 houses in Putra Heights in Selangor, which injured 150 people. It also left a massive crater in the housing area. Zairil said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) enforces key regulations to ensure workplace safety in order to prevent such incidents. 'DOSH also conducts annual safety audits on pipeline operators (both gas and liquid petroleum),' he said, adding that the number of audited operators has risen significantly, from seven in 2022 to 14 in 2024 and 29 this year. Zairil said additional safety measures included rigorous technical inspections – such as hydrostatic and pneumatic tests – that are mandatory for the issuance of a Permit to Operate (PTO) by DOSH. 'DOSH also carries out annual inspections at petrol stations and petroleum storage terminals,' he said. Unannounced inspections are also conducted on pipelines operating without a PTO, with enforcement action taken against any violations, he said. On the state government's efforts, Zairil added that gas safety and flammable material issues are regularly reviewed during State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) meetings, held twice a year.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang uses drones to monitor gas pipelines, prevent encroachment
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government is conducting regular drone surveillance and ground patrols to prevent encroachment into Petronas' Right of Way (ROW) zones as part of efforts to avoid incidents like the recent gas explosion in Putra Heights, Selangor. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the monitoring is carried out once or twice a week to ensure the safety of areas near gas and liquefied petroleum pipelines. 'The main concern is preventing any intrusion into the pipeline ROW buffer zones, which are designed to maintain a safe distance from residential areas. There are clear guidelines regulating development near these zones. 'Encroachment into the ROW is a serious issue. Local authorities have established regulations to control any development near gas pipelines,' he said during the Penang state legislative assembly sitting today. He was responding to a supplementary question from Zulkefli Bakar (PN–Penanti) on whether there are planning guidelines imposed by local authorities for housing developments near gas pipelines to minimise explosion risks. Zairil (PH–Tanjong Bungah) said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) conducts annual safety audits on gas and petroleum pipeline operators in Penang to ensure compliance with standards on integrity management, operations, maintenance, and other technical aspects. He said DOSH also performs initial inspections and conducts hydrostatic and pneumatic tests for pipeline systems applying for a Permit to Operate (PTO). Additionally, petroleum storage facilities at petrol stations and terminals are inspected annually. 'DOSH carries out surprise checks on pipelines operating without a PTO and issues compliance orders when necessary. Any potential gas leaks are managed regularly and based on technical evaluations,' he said. Zairil added that the Penang State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) meets twice a year to review policies, strategies, action plans and directions relating to disaster management, including pipeline safety issues. He said the main Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) pipeline in Penang stretches about 42 kilometres from the Sungai Kerian border near Parit Buntar, passing through Relau, Machang Bubuk, Mengkuang, Ara Kuda, Kampung Selamat, and Pinang Tunggal before crossing the Sungai Muda into Kedah. A 23-kilometre lateral line branches off from the PGU mainline to supply natural gas to the SKS Prai Power Plant, TNB Prai Power Station, and TNB Gelugor Power Station. According to DOSH, there are currently 34 active major hazard installations in Penang involving factories or companies handling high-risk operations.
Barnama
19-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Penang Uses Drones To Monitor Gas Pipelines, Prevent Encroachment
GEORGE TOWN, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Penang government is conducting regular drone surveillance and ground patrols to prevent encroachment into Petronas' Right of Way (ROW) zones as part of efforts to avoid incidents like the recent gas explosion in Putra Heights, Selangor. State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the monitoring is carried out once or twice a week to ensure the safety of areas near gas and liquefied petroleum pipelines. 'The main concern is preventing any intrusion into the pipeline ROW buffer zones, which are designed to maintain a safe distance from residential areas. There are clear guidelines regulating development near these zones. 'Encroachment into the ROW is a serious issue. Local authorities have established regulations to control any development near gas pipelines,' he said during the Penang state legislative assembly sitting today. He was responding to a supplementary question from Zulkefli Bakar (PN–Penanti) on whether there are planning guidelines imposed by local authorities for housing developments near gas pipelines to minimise explosion risks. Zairil (PH–Tanjong Bungah) said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) conducts annual safety audits on gas and petroleum pipeline operators in Penang to ensure compliance with standards on integrity management, operations, maintenance, and other technical aspects. He said DOSH also performs initial inspections and conducts hydrostatic and pneumatic tests for pipeline systems applying for a Permit to Operate (PTO). Additionally, petroleum storage facilities at petrol stations and terminals are inspected annually. 'DOSH carries out surprise checks on pipelines operating without a PTO and issues compliance orders when necessary. Any potential gas leaks are managed regularly and based on technical evaluations,' he said. Zairil added that the Penang State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) meets twice a year to review policies, strategies, action plans and directions relating to disaster management, including pipeline safety issues.
