Oil Refinery Balikpapan

Balikpapan is one amongst the quite a few of important oil cities in Indonesia, thus, it is only make sense that when you are in Balikpapan, you will see plenty oil refineries; however, all of them are located at one area, which is in Jalan Minyak (it means oil road, literally). More than 12 years ago, when there weren’t any bombing threats or any other threats whatsoever, the refinery area was not even lined with sharp metal wire as Balikpapan was (and still is) a pretty safe city which mainly because the residents obviously understand how important it is to be safe and sound as there are like more than 30 giant refineries in their city. Since old days again, youngsters would take the opportunity to have illegal racing around the area and as years grew, Pertamina, the oil company, for that reason started to place the metal wire for safety purposes.

Jalan Minyak was also lovers’ “destination”; usually, in the evening to mid-morning especially on week-ends, it is a common view to find lovers on motorbikes around the area. Jalan Minyak is an attractive place to hang out at in the evening; the Obor Pertamina (the fairly tall torch) is on continuously day and night which is another thing to look at besides the refineries.

Today, even though bombing threats are already calmed in Indonesia, Pertamina decided to close Jalan Minyak for public which is sad because now people could not really see the “Little Hong Kong” area as what Jalan Minyak with its oil refineries were known as. People would also need to drive round to reach the Semayang Port and/or RS Pertamina (hospital); however, if you cross Balikpapan to Penajam, you still could see Jalan Minyak with its glamour lights at night, the Little Hong Kong of Balikpapan.

Categories: Balikpapan , Landmark