Geopolitical Unrest in the Middle East: Assessing the Risk to Global Oil Supply and Implications for Energy Markets in 2024

On the 13th of October 2023, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Student Chapter hosted an inspiring event titled 'Delegates Talk 1.0.' The objective of this program was to provide a platform for successful delegates to share their experiences and tips with members interested in excelling in the competitive world of oil and gas competitions.Asta Raziq, the PIC of the event, explained that the idea behind this was to meet the curiosity of numerous members who were eager to learn how to succeed in competitions. This program aimed to fulfill that desire by arranging face-to-face discussions with speakers who have excelled in oil and gas competitions. Asta Raziq stated, "Our main goal is to shed light on competitions since many members have shown an interest in this field. However, we also want to introduce them to SPE ITS SC on a deeper level. With this delegates' talk, we aim to demystify oil and gas competitions while showcasing fields that may be suitable for our members."The event commenced with presentations by two accomplished speakers, Samuel Zagota and Haya Aqila, who had previously achieved success in various oil and gas competitions, including being the 1st Winner in the Petroleum Business Case Competition at IPFEST ITB 2023. They shared insights into the structure, technicalities, and distinctive characteristics of case studies and business case competitions, providing valuable information to the enthusiastic members.Following these informative presentations, an engaging Q&A session was conducted where several members took the opportunity to ask the speakers about various competitions in the oil & gas field, such as oil rig design and paper competition. Many of the participants were freshmen, new to these competitions and unsure of where to begin. They sought advice and tips from the speakers on how to kick start their journey in these competitions. The exchange of questions and answers fostered a dynamic and engaging atmosphere, making it a valuable part of the event.The event continued with Asta Razqi, the Project Officer for the 2023 SPE ITS SC's Petroleague, presenting the 'Petroleague Roadshow.’ Petroleague is the annual internal competition of SPE ITS SC, this competition is suitable for beginners who want to start their competition journey. The highlight of the event was the Focused Group Discussion (FGD), where both speakers delved into their personal experiences and journeys in the oil & gas competitions. They patiently interacted with the members, addressing their questions and providing insights into their journeys in competitions. The speakers' willingness to discuss the hurdles they had overcome, the strategies they had employed, and the moments of inspiration that had fueled their success not only served as a source of motivation but also demystified the often intimidating world of oil and gas competitions.Through 'Delegates Talk 1.0,' SPE ITS SC not only catered to the interests of its members but also expanded their knowledge about the diversity of competitions within the oil and gas sector. Importantly, it encouraged members and delegates to participate in competitions organized by SPE ITS SC, including the annual Petroleague, and to explore many competitions outside of ITS. “Moreover, there will be a series of introduction series events with various competitions such as Oil Rig Design Competitions, Business Case Competition, Paper & Poster Competition, and Case Study Competitions with hope that members will be able to understand more about the competition and be able to take part in events that will be held in the future.” Asta concludedWritten By: Arya Nugraha Aulia Rahman Yusup

The need for effective scientific writing and paper review skills cannot be understated in the digital age, when information is generated at an unprecedented rate. In response to this, The Research and Information Division of SPE ITS SC held a Scientific Writing Mastery event that took place at Menara Sains TW1-301 on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 17.30–21.00. The purpose of the event is to provide participants with an understanding of paper reviews, ethical issues, and scientific writing techniques. Apart from that, a paper review simulation was conducted at the end of the event to increase participants' understanding of the materials presented. Especially for those aiming to succeed in competitions that require paper writing and review.Participants were not only university students, but there were also high school students who participated enthusiastically in the event. “Despite the limited promotion of our event due to unforeseen circumstances, we're pleasantly surprised that it still went smoothly, was well-attended, and received a positive turnout among the participants” said Daffa Hibatullah as the PIC of the event.Gemala Tri Hita Kirana and Valerie Anargya Gayatri,  from Ocean Engineering ITS, as the champions of the PROTECT 2023 paper and poster competition, kicked off the event with insights into the technical aspects of scientific writing and an overview of paper competitions. Their presentations aimed to give the participants a solid grasp of what goes into crafting a good scientific paper. In the end, the speakers also encourage participants to take part in competitions as a means of improving their writing and analytical skills.The guest reviewer of IRRODL (Top 2 Canadian Open Access Education Journals), indexed by Scopus Q1, Aidatul Fitriyah from English Language and Literature Universitas Airlangga, presented the following session and gave an explanation of paper review and conducted a simulation. During her presentation, she not only discussed the academic components of paper reviewing; but also discussed her personal experiences, providing insight into the complexities of evaluating scholarly work for a prestigious journal.A paper review simulation was being conducted to take the learning experience a step further. One of the participant's papers was selected for a real-time review. This hands-on approach allowed participants to see how the principles discussed earlier in the session were applied in practice, the thought process, and attention to detail required for a thorough review. Also to identify strengths & weaknesses and provide constructive reviews for the participant.The event's success highlights the need for increased understanding and proficiency in scientific writing. In an era of rapid knowledge exchange, events such as these are crucial to maintain the quality and integrity of research as the scientific community continues to develop. "Our goal in organizing this event is for participants to improve their writing and research skills, and ultimately making valuable contributions to the advancement of research." ended Daffa.Written By: Arya Nugraha Aulia Rahman Yusup

On October 25th, 2025, the Society of Petroleum Engineers ITS Student Chapter (SPE ITS SC) successfully held ONG 101, an insightful seminar that brought students closer to the real challenges and opportunities within the oil and gas industry. Held at Teater A, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya, the seminar featured Ir. Zulfikar A. Ali, IPM, Senior Completion and Fracturing Engineer at KUFPEC and ITS Chemical Engineering alumnus, as the keynote speaker. In his opening presentation, Mr. Zulfikar emphasized that safety remains the foremost priority in every stage of oil and gas operations. He explained that the strict regulatory frameworks governing exploration, drilling, and production activities are designed to prevent accidents, mitigate risks associated with H₂S gas exposure, and minimize environmental incidents such as oil spills. According to him, adherence to safety standards is a non-negotiable aspect of engineering professionalism, reflecting the industry's ethical responsibility toward both personnel and the environment. The speaker proceeded to share his personal experiences working across various segments of the oil and gas value chain. He reflected on the challenges and learning processes that shaped his career, encouraging students to pursue their passion with perseverance and integrity. Addressing the growing public perception that the oil and gas industry is a declining sector, Mr. Zulfikar remarked: “Some people say, ‘Oil is running out, why study petroleum engineering?’ But I believe hydrocarbons will still be needed for the next 100 years. Oil and gas will continue to support the world’s energy demand. It will remain part of our journey to achieve global energy targets.” This statement underscored the continuing relevance of Oil and Gas exploration and innovation within the broader context of energy transition and sustainability. While the global energy landscape is shifting toward renewable resources, hydrocarbons will remain essential for industrial processes, petrochemicals, and transitional energy sources in the decades to come. In the technical portion of the session, Mr. Zulfikar elaborated on the cycle of oil and gas operations, covering exploration, drilling, completion, production, and decommissioning. He introduced the concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary recovery, in which the industry has now reached tertiary recovery. This emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation to improve recovery efficiency and resource sustainability. He highlighted the necessity of “honoring technology” by embracing advancements that enable engineers to address contemporary challenges such as reservoir depletion, environmental impact reduction, and cost optimization. Topics discussed included offshore exploration wells, structural integrity, station-keeping systems, and drill stem testing all of which require interdisciplinary collaboration and robust engineering design. The seminar’s central theme, well-completion, was explored in depth. Mr. Zulfikar discussed the primary challenges faced by completion engineers, particularly in corrosive well environments, where material selection becomes a critical factor. He also addressed the requirements for materials capable of withstanding the extremely low temperatures associated with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) operations, an emerging field aligned with global decarbonization goals. Various artificial lift systems were introduced as solutions for enhancing production from mature wells. Furthermore, the speaker noted that multilateral well technology, though not yet widely implemented in Indonesia, presents significant opportunities for improving reservoir drainage efficiency. Mr. Zulfikar also explained several methods to mitigate sand production, such as gravel packing and screen design, emphasizing that these practices are vital for maintaining well integrity. He concluded this section by introducing smart well technologies, which enable remote monitoring and control to minimize the need for physical intervention, thereby enhancing both safety and efficiency. Beyond technical competence, Mr. Zulfikar stressed that successful engineering practice in the oil and gas industry depends on effective collaboration among diverse disciplines.  Such multidisciplinary cooperation fosters innovative problem-solving and ensures that complex projects meet both operational and environmental standards. The event’s interactive segments demonstrated the enthusiasm of ITS students. The QnA session featured insightful discussions that reflected participants’ curiosity and critical thinking regarding industry practices. The seminar concluded with a PetroQuiz, in which attendees enthusiastically competed to answer technical questions related to the material presented. This activity effectively reinforced the participants’ understanding while maintaining an engaging atmosphere. Through ONG 101, SPE ITS SC successfully bridged academic learning with real-world industry perspectives. The seminar provided valuable exposure to practical engineering challenges and the evolving dynamics of the global energy sector. By presenting both motivational insights and technical expertise, Ir. Zulfikar A. Ali, IPM, not only broadened the participants’ understanding of well completion and production technologies but also inspired them to uphold professional values of safety, innovation, and collaboration.  Writer: Christya Amanda

In a bid to increase awareness on the importance of health, the Community Outreach Division  SPE ITS SC has taken the initiative to organize a medical check-up event called "FEALING (Fun Healing)". The event has successfully conducted in collaboration with the Asian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) Universitas Airlangga. The PIC of the event Jonathan Erland Sihotang explained that the event comes at a time when health awareness is increasingly crucial, especially with the transition from the pandemic era. People overlook the fundamental and essential aspects of health, such as lack of exercise, consuming unhealthy food with high levels of sugar, and barely doing medical check-ups.  "Those behaviors will cause an increase in the prevalence of hypertension and any of the health issues among people our age or actually affect people of all ages,” Jonathan explained. Despite the importance of health, many people still underestimate its significance, particularly in developing countries where healthcare can be costly. Therefore, the Community Outreach Division has taken the initiative to provide free medical check-ups for those who cannot afford them. “Conducting this event is also in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages,” Jonathan added. According to Jonathan, FEALING which took place on Sunday, 13th November 2022 from morning to afternoon at Taman Harmoni Keputih in Surabaya, provided a range of medical check-ups including blood sugar, tension, and uric acid tests. "We hope to accommodate those who are underprivileged, to do medical checkups for free and increase the awareness of local residents about the importance of health." Jonathan said. The health check-up event at Taman Harmony was a great success, with a majority of elderly participants from the surrounding area. Within just four hours, the target of 100 participants was achieved due to the overwhelming response, with most of them coming in groups. "I am so grateful for this free health check-up. It's an opportunity for us to monitor our health without spending any money," said one of the participants, who was delighted with the initiative.The Community Outreach Division and AMSA-Unair believe that events like FEALING will increase health awareness in the local community and ultimately lead to healthier lifestyles. The hope is that the event will inspire more organizations to take similar initiatives in promoting health and well-being in the community.  "I am thrilled to see such an enthusiastic response from the community. It shows that people are taking their health seriously," Jonathan concluded. By: Tyara Novia