Dive into the Midstream & Downstream in the Energy Sector

Jun 06, 2024

On Saturday, May 4th, 2024, the Science Course Division of SPE ITS SC organized an event titled "Dive into Midstream & Downstream." The event delved deep into two crucial segments of the energy industry which provide participants with valuable insights into their significance, challenges, and innovations.

Mr. Dimas Cameeo Wicaksono, Assistant Project Construction at PT Perusahaan Gas Negara, kickstarted the event by shedding light on midstream activities. These activities play a pivotal role in facilitating the interconnectedness of various aspects of the energy industry. Throughout his session, Mr. Dimas covered the transportation, storage, and distribution of oil and gas, the key components of midstream infrastructure, as well as the challenges during the midstream process.

He explained the complex network of pipelines, tankers, and terminals that form the infrastructure for transporting hydrocarbons from extraction sites to refineries and distribution centers. Central to midstream operations are the various components of infrastructure that facilitate the processing and transportation of oil and gas. He provided an overview of crucial facilities such as pipelines, compressor stations, storage tanks, and terminals, as well as the protection and supporting facilities in LNG terminal infrastructure.

While midstream activities are essential for ensuring the availability of energy resources, they are not without their challenges. Mr. Dimas also shed light on the various issues encountered during the midstream process, such as vandalism/illegal tapping by third parties.

Following Dimas's insightful presentation, Mochammad Helmy Aditya, Process Commissioning Engineer at PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan, took the stage to deep dive into the downstream sector. This segment explored the current trends, challenges, and innovations shaping downstream operations. One area of focus lies within the refinery operations, particularly the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) and Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) units. These units are pivotal in the conversion of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks into lighter, higher-value products.

Mr. Helmy explained about FCC and RFCC units which are vital components of modern refineries that facilitate the conversion of heavy residual oils and vacuum gas oils into valuable gasoline, diesel, and petrochemical feedstocks. These units employ catalytic cracking processes to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more desirable products.

He explored the unit integration within FCC-RFCC operations involving complex coordination between various sections, including reaction, separation, treating, and upgrading. Moreover, the quality parameters of feed and product streams in FCC-RFCC operations are critical for ensuring product performance, environmental compliance, and market acceptance. Parameters such as sulfur content, octane number, density, and aromatic content are closely monitored to meet regulatory requirements and customer specifications. For PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional, adherence to stringent quality standards is essential to maintain product integrity and competitiveness in the marketplace.

Lastly, Mr. Helmy also highlights the environmental considerations that play a significant role in the operation of FCC-RFCC units, particularly in minimizing emissions, waste generation, and energy consumption. PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional prioritizes environmental stewardship by implementing advanced emission control technologies, optimizing energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices throughout its operations.

Despite being held online, the event attracted many participants who were eager to expand their knowledge of midstream and downstream operations. Participants enthusiastically engaged with the speakers by actively asking questions and participating in discussions.

As the sessions drew to a close, the Research and Information Division conducted a Petroquiz covering the materials and topics presented during the event. The quiz challenged participants' understanding of midstream and downstream concepts which provided an opportunity to reinforce their learning. After an intense competition, Christian Gunawan emerged as the winner who will earn the SPE Knowledgebook as a token of recognition.

Written by: Arya Nugraha Aulia Rahman Yusup

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