Blora, Central Java. Indonesian police have sealed off dozens of illegal oil wells in Blora Regency after a massive blaze at one of the sites killed three people and continued to burn for days.

The fire broke out on Sunday at a traditional oil well in Gandu Village, Bogorejo District, and had yet to be fully extinguished as of Tuesday. Investigators have questioned eight witnesses in an effort to determine the exact cause of the accident.

“There were four witnesses questioned yesterday and another four today. The well owner has also been interrogated and will be asked for further clarification,” Blora Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Wawan Andi said on Tuesday.

Authorities estimate there are more than 50 such wells in Gandu Village alone, many located dangerously close to residential areas. In some cases, homes were even demolished after oil deposits were discovered beneath them. Other wells were dug on farmland and plantations belonging to local residents.

According to police, most of the wells are financed by outside investors rather than villagers themselves. The profit-sharing system typically allocates 20 percent to the village, 20 percent to landowners, 10 percent for social activities, and the remainder to investors.

“Many people invest in these oil wells, sometimes through the village cooperative. The oil is sold in crude form,” Wawan explained.

These “people’s oil wells” are small, traditional oil wells operated outside Indonesia’s formal energy sector. Many are decades old, dug by hand or with rudimentary equipment, and passed down through generations in rural communities, particularly in Java and Sumatra.

Unlike industrial oil fields managed by state-owned Pertamina or international firms, these traditionally-managed wells are typically run by villagers or cooperatives, often with financial backing from private investors. Crude oil is pumped manually, stored, and sold directly to middlemen in unprocessed form.

While the wells provide vital income to rural communities, they are largely unregulated, making them prone to fires, blowouts, and environmental hazards. Despite repeated crackdowns, they remain widespread because high oil prices and limited job opportunities make them an important -- if risky -- economic lifeline.

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