Exploring Horizons: Acing Early Career in the Oil & Gas Industry

Indonesia's energy landscape received a significant lift as Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) launched Platform WPN-7, boosting gas production by 20 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) in the Mahakam Block. This achievement underscores ongoing efforts to secure national gas supplies amid rising demands.Located offshore in East Kalimantan's mature Sisi Nubi field, WPN-7 went operational on March 23, 2026. It features two key wells: NB-701, which began flowing at 9.8 MMSCFD on March 25, and NB-702, achieving 12.5 MMSCFD by March 26. Together, they target a combined initial output of 20 MMSCFD, with PHM actively monitoring to stabilize and optimize performance in line with Q1 2026 objectives.This platform represents the third in the Sisi Nubi Area of Interest (SNB AOI) 1-3-5 project. Predecessors include WPS-4, activated December 4, 2025, and WPS-5 on February 23, 2026. These phased developments build on rigorous technical groundwork, revitalizing output from the longstanding Mahakam Block, a cornerstone of Indonesia's upstream sector.The boost aligns with broader national strategies, enhancing energy resilience. PHM's initiatives complement prior Mahakam projects that added substantial capacities, like up to 36 MMSCFD, supporting SKK Migas targets for oil and gas stability."These new wells play a vital role in ensuring steady gas availability and strengthening our upstream self-sufficiency goals," said PHM General Manager Setyo. As Indonesia navigates energy transitions, such milestones from mature fields like Mahakam remain crucial for economic and supply security into 2026 and beyond. Written by: Christya

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) ITS SC recently organized the SPEak Up! Guest Lecture program in collaboration with SPE UTM SC from Malaysia and SPE PSU SC from the Philippines. With the theme 'Revolutionizing Production Through Next-Gen Oilfield's Digital Odyssey,' this collaborative initiative aims to enhance SPE members' understanding of the oil and gas industry perspectives in the digitalization era. Hosted annually by the Academia and Competency Development Department of SPE ITS SC, The recent SPEAK UP Guest Lecture featured industry experts, including Mr. Tomi Ihwanto from Pertamina Hulu Rokan, Engr. Arnold Gabuco from Philippines, and Dr. Ahmad Khanifar from Petronas Malaysia, shedding light on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in redefining oil extraction strategies and enhancing oil fields.The first session of the event, featured a presentation by Mr. Tomi Ihwanto which emphasized the importance of embracing digital technologies in order to stay competitive in the constantly evolving oil and gas industry. He highlighted this by saying, "Advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, and automation are redefining traditional practices within the sector, emphasizing the need for adaptation to ensure efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness in today's oil and gas landscape." He then proceeded to describe various digital transformation initiatives that PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan has implemented and plans to integrate.. One of the implementations is the smart condition monitoring & analysis modeling that is able to detect the equipment degradation earlier by applying similarity based multiple online variables correlation. The abnormal condition can be detected earlier based on the trend difference between model and actual. Thus, optimizing the maintenance schedule and potentially saving on costs and avoiding downtimes.Mr. Arnold Gabuco started the next session by mentioning the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in streamlining tasks, processing large datasets, and optimizing production workflows. He specifically noted, "AI's ability to undertake complex tasks efficiently and with minimal errors can revolutionize the oil and gas industry, making it an indispensable tool for ensuring operational reliability and efficiency by preemptively addressing potential equipment failures."And in the last session of the event, Dr. Khanifar highlighted the pivotal role of advanced analytics and AI-driven technologies in enhancing oil fields, stating, "These innovations collectively contribute to informed extraction strategies, ensuring optimal operations and real-time optimization by controlling the high gas to oil ratio (GOR) in wells." The lecture covered critical aspects, including the Field Development Plan overview and the meticulous Well Selection process. The discussion focused on the detailed implementation of the AI-HGOR Pilot, where Dr. Khanifar emphasized the importance of GOR control for reshaping the oil extraction landscape. The Multi Rate Test (MRT) analysis showcased a reduction in oil production with an increasing GOR, while the Advisory Model's integration into the process control scope underlined the transformative significance of these technological advancements. The presentation concluded with a powerful statement, offering a glimpse into the promising future of the industry.Written by: Satria Rafif Rafidianto

This year's Welcome Party Member event is taking an exciting step by integrating with the Oil & Gas 101 session from the Science Course Division. Taking place in the Auditorium Pascasarjana at ITS on Thursday, October 5th, this combined event is split into two key segments: department introductions and Oil & Gas 101.The event kicks off with a warm welcome from the master of ceremonies, followed by an opening speech to set the stage. Subsequently, the spotlight shifts to the introduction of each department in SPE ITS SC by directors and heads of divisions. This provides members with a snapshot of the different aspects and work programs that SPE covers.Following these department presentations, an interactive question-and-answer session follows. Here, members had the chance to engage with the Board of Directors and the Heads of Divisions to seek clarification and dive deeper into SPE ITS SC’s work programs. This open dialogue gave members a platform to address specific queries and concerns they might have had about the organization's activities. Many took advantage of this forum to delve into the finer details of SPE ITS SC's work programs, seeking a better understanding of how they could actively participate and contribute.Once the first session wrapped up, the second segment started—Science Course Division's Oil & Gas 101. In this segment, the speaker provides a comprehensive overview of the oil and gas industry fundamentals. Abdul Quddus Al Kahfi as the speaker thoughtfully breaks down the intricacies of the industry, highlighting its three crucial operation stages: Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream. Additionally, the audience gains insights into the latest developments and innovations shaping the sector's landscape. The primary goal here is to provide SPE ITS SC members with a robust and foundational understanding of this field.As with the department introductions, the Oil & Gas 101 session is followed by an engaging question-and-answer segment. Several members posed intriguing questions, reflecting their eagerness to delve deeper into the materials presented and their genuine interest in the future prospects of the oil and gas industry.To cap things off, participants had the opportunity to put their newfound knowledge to the test with the Petroquiz, managed by the Research and Information Division. This exciting quiz is a chance to apply what they've learned and add a touch of friendly competition to the event. All in all, this integrated Welcome Party Member presented an insightful and engaging experience for all participants.“The welcome party for new members by SPE ITS SC was very fun and valuable. Because from this event, I gained a lot of new knowledge and met other members who have the same interest in the petroleum industry.” Giody, a first-year student in Marine Engineering who won the Petroquiz, explained that he decided to attend the welcome party because he has a strong desire to learn more about the oil & gas sector in Indonesia. He felt that attending the event strengthened his decision to join SPE ITS SC as a member and he hoped that this would be a place for him to grow and learn more about the oil and gas industry. Written By: Arya Nugraha Aulia Rahman Yusup

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