Emerging Technologies Transforming Oil and Gas Exploration
Oct 17, 2024
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PHE Output Under Pressure as Rokan Disruptions and West Qurna Closure Weigh on 2026 Production
PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), Indonesia's state-owned upstream oil and gas subsidiary, recorded total oil production of 475,000 barrels per day (bopd) through April 2026, a significant drop from the 556,000 bopd achieved across 2025. The company's CEO, Awang Lazuardi, attributed the decline to a combination of domestic operational setbacks and geopolitical turbulence abroad, revealing the breadth of pressures bearing down on Indonesia's largest upstream operator.At home, the most disruptive incident occurred at Blok Rokan in Riau, PHE's single largest producing asset. Early in the year, a gas supply disruption arose after a pipeline integrity failure, specifically a leak in a transmission line operated by Transportasi Gas Indonesia (TGI). The outage lasted more than 20 days, severely curtailing the gas-powered energy supply to production facilities across the block. "Average oil production at Rokan dropped quite sharply," Awang said during a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission XII in late May. Domestic output for the period stood at 367,000 bopd, down from 396,000 bopd in 2025.Further domestic pressure came from Lapangan Banyu Urip, a joint-operated asset with ExxonMobil. PHE encountered facility constraints that limited efforts to ramp up gas production at the field, compounding the output shortfall at a time when the company was already struggling to recover losses at Rokan.On the international front, PHE holds a participating interest in West Qurna-1, an oil field in southern Iraq. Due to force majeure caused by the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, the Iraqi government ordered a temporary shutdown of the field. The move cost PHE approximately 100,000 bopd of production. Though operations have since been permitted to resume, output remains at less than ten percent of capacity, allocated solely to meet Iraq's domestic needs, and a full recovery timeline remains uncertain.Together, these disruptions have pushed PHE's total production well below the government's 2026 lifting target of 610,000 bopd set in the state budget. Awang acknowledged the scale of the challenge but pointed to the temporary nature of several setbacks. Industry observers, however, note that structural vulnerabilities including aging infrastructure, geopolitical exposure, and dependence on a small number of high-output blocks continue to pose long-term risks to Indonesia's energy security goals.Written by: Akhirian Taka
PetroChina’s Gemah-81 Well Delivers 4.8 MMscfd in Strong Initial Production Test
PetroChina International Jabung Ltd. (PCJL) has successfully completed the initial production test of the Gemah-81 development well in the Jabung Working Area, Jambi, marking another milestone for Indonesia’s upstream oil and gas sector. The drilling activity was conducted under the supervision of SKK Migas, the country’s upstream oil and gas regulator.Head of SKK Migas Djoko Siswanto confirmed the positive test results, highlighting the well’s strong production performance following completion on February 11, 2026.Based on well test analysis conducted at a 32/64-inch choke, Gemah-81 produced 4.8 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of gas at a wellhead pressure (WHP) of 1,080 psig, along with approximately 400 barrels per day (bpd) of condensate. The well targets three reservoirs, with the primary zone located at a depth interval of 7,259–7,281 feet measured depth (MD). The results indicate promising hydrocarbon potential within the Gemah field.To accelerate production, PetroChina plans to connect the well to the existing Gemah Station production facility within approximately two weeks. The tie-in will involve the installation of around 300 meters of pipeline, enabling the well to commence regular production promptly.Building on this success, the company is scheduled to drill two additional wells — Gemah-85 and NEB-85 ST — within the next month. SKK Migas expressed hope that these wells will deliver even higher production rates, further strengthening output from the Jabung Block.Looking ahead, PetroChina reaffirmed its commitment to expanding exploration activities and optimizing existing assets in the block through technology deployment, cost efficiency, and collaborative efforts, supporting sustained production growth in the years to come.
Reaching for the Earth's Heart: The Kola Project
For centuries, humanity has looked outward to the stars, the moon and the planets. Yet there is a profound mystery that lies much closer, beneath our very feet: the Earth core. The kola borehole, or known as the Kola Project, represents one of humanity’s boldest attempts to reach the depths of our planet, uncovering secrets hidden beneath the surface.The Kola Project began in 1970 as part of the Soviet Union’s ambitious scientific endeavors. Situated on the remote Kola Peninsula in northern Russia, the project aimed to drill as deep as possible into the earth crust. The ultimate goal was to explore the composition of the earth's interior, understand its physical and chemical properties, and perhaps uncover its formation billions of years ago. Over two decades, the kola borehole reached an unprecedented depth of 12,226 meters (about 40,230 feet) in 1989, making it the deepest artificial point on earth. This incredible feat surpassed previous drilling records and remains unchallenged to this day. Despite the immense depth, the borehole only penetrated unchallenged to this day. Despite the immense depth, the borehole only penetrated about a third of the Earth’s crust, highlighting the vast scale of our planet layers. Drilling to such extraordinary depths posed numerous technical and scientific challenges. Temperatures exceeded 180°C (356°F), far higher than anticipated, making equipment prone to failure. The immense pressure of the drilling process. Despite these obstacles, the kola project provided invaluable insights into the earth’s geology. Among the project’s most significant findings were the unexpected presence of water at extreme depths and the discovery of microscopic fossils in ancient rock formations. These fossils, found more than 6 kilometers below the surface, suggested that life might have existed in environments previously considered inhospitable. Additionally, researchers gathered critical dara on seismic activity, the composition of the earth’s crust and thermal gradients. As technology advances, exploring Earth’s depths remains a compelling dream. Future drilling and robotic technologies could unlock further insights into Earth's history, tectonics, and vital resources. The Kola Project demonstrates that exploration extends to the unseen depths of our planet, reaffirming humanity's drive to uncover its mysteries
HEAL (Healthy Empowerment and Active Living) Free Medical Check-up
With the aim of raising awareness about the significance of health, the Community Outreach Division SPE ITS SC has taken the initiative to organize a medical check-up event called "HEAL” (Healthy Empowerment and Active Living). The event was successfully conducted in collaboration with the Asian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) Universitas Airlangga. Last year, SPE ITS SC also collaborated with AMSA Universitas Airlangga for the same event. SPE ITS SC decided to collaborate with AMSA Universitas Airlangga again as it allowed the committee to proactively monitor and evaluate individuals' health, detect potential issues early, and promote preventive care. Took place on 26th November 2023 at Taman Harmoni Keputih Surabaya, from morning to afternoon, this initiative stems from a recognition of the limited knowledge and awareness surrounding personal health in these communities. “SPE is committed to the welfare of the community, hence we are inspired to conduct health checkup activities for underprivileged communities due to lack of knowledge and awareness of the importance of personal health.” said Ghassa as the Project Officer of the event. In order for the event to be successful, the committee promoted the activities by contacting the head of the local neighborhood association such as RT and RW. “In addition, I distributed brochures to local residents. We maximize promotion by distributing brochures and inviting people around the park on the day of the event. In addition, we also maximized promotion by using SPE's Instagram.” added Ghassa.From the event, the committee successfully checked various health tests, including uric acid, glucose blood sugar, and blood pressure. And although the event ran smoothly, the committee encountered a challenge during data collection due to the overwhelming number of participants. Unfortunately, many residents had to leave empty-handed as the health check tools had run out.In the end, the event turned out to be a significant success, leaving a positive impact in the community. “Residents around Harmony feel very helped by the free health test activities.” Ghassa said. This free medical check-ups event at Taman Harmony has proven to be immensely beneficial for local residents. A considerable number of individuals had never undergone health checkups previously, primarily due to financial constraints and limited awareness about healthcare. Encouraged by the positive impact, residents in the Harmony Park area have expressed a desire to establish free health testing as an annual community event. This growing sentiment underscores the community's recognition of the importance of proactive healthcare and its eagerness to prioritize the well-being of its residents.Written By: Arya Nugraha Aulia Rahman Yusup