Kangean Energy to Conduct 3D Seismic Survey in East Java; SKK Migas Emphasizes Subsurface Data as Pillar of National Energy Security

Surabaya, SPE ITS SC – PT Elnusa Tbk (IDX: ELSA), an integrated energy services company under Pertamina’s Upstream Subholding, is strengthening its wireline services capabilities through a new technology access program developed in collaboration with SLB.Wireline services are specialized upstream oil and gas operations that use cable-deployed tools to collect subsurface data and perform various well interventions. These services are essential for evaluating reservoir conditions and supporting exploration and production activities.The initiative, called Technology Access Enablement and Delivery to Elnusa, forms part of the company’s 2026 transformation agenda themed “Rediscover Technology & Innovation Edge,” which emphasizes technology-driven service development and operational competitiveness.Through the collaboration, Elnusa will gain access to advanced open hole and cased hole wireline logging tools, enabling the company to expand its service portfolio and address increasingly complex subsurface challenges in upstream operations.Elnusa Director of Operations Andri Haribowo said the program is designed to broaden the scope of the company’s wireline services while strengthening internal capabilities through a structured capacity-building approach.“This collaboration not only opens access to advanced open hole tools, but also enhances Elnusa’s internal competencies and operational capacity. Previously, our services were primarily focused on cased hole logging. With this initiative, we are expanding into advanced open hole logging, creating a more comprehensive service portfolio for our customers,” he said.The cooperation framework will be implemented in phases to ensure effective technology transfer and sustainable capability development. In addition to gaining access to advanced tools, Elnusa aims to strengthen operational procedures and develop internal talent capable of independently operating the technology in the future.The program also marks a new phase of collaboration between Elnusa and PT Schlumberger Geophysics Nusantara, an affiliate of SLB. According to Armando Ballesteros, Director of PT Schlumberger Geophysics Nusantara, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting technology transfer and competency development in Indonesia’s upstream services sector.Industry experts note that the adoption of advanced wireline technology is becoming increasingly important as oil and gas reservoirs grow more complex. Advanced subsurface evaluation tools allow operators to better understand reservoir characteristics, improving decision-making while reducing exploration and development risks.Strategic partnerships between local service providers and global technology companies are also seen as a key driver of innovation in the energy sector. Such collaborations can accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies while strengthening domestic technical capabilities.With the launch of the program’s initial phase, Elnusa is positioning itself as a technology-driven upstream service provider, aiming to enhance operational efficiency while supporting the development of Indonesia’s oil and gas industry.Writer: Aura Hammada

Artificial Intelligence (AI), as the most important general-purpose technology of today, is rapidly entering industries, creating significant potential for innovations and growth. Instead of relying on traditional and human-centered business processes, many companies are beginning to adopt AI as their solution. Therefore, the oil and gas industry is also undergoing a major transformation, integrating AI-driven technologies to optimize operations, enhance decision-making, and improve safety. The primary goal of AI adoption in this sector is to improve efficiency, which means accelerating processes, reducing operational risks, and minimizing costs. AI can process vast amounts of data faster and more accurately than humans, leading to better resource management and production optimization.The first applications of AI in the oil and gas industry were considered in the 1970s, primarily in data analysis and reservoir modeling. Early AI-driven systems helped geologists interpret seismic data, identifying potential drilling sites with higher accuracy. Over time, advancements in machine learning and automation have enabled more sophisticated applications, from predictive maintenance to real-time monitoring of assets. The petroleum industry is typically divided into three main segments: upstream, midstream, and downstream : Upstream – Focuses on exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. AI enhances reservoir modeling, seismic data analysis, and drilling efficiency, reducing costs and improving accuracy.Midstream – Involves transportation and storage of crude oil and natural gas. AI optimizes pipeline monitoring, predictive maintenance, and logistics, ensuring safe and efficient operations.Downstream – Covers refining, processing, and distribution of petroleum products. AI improves refinery operations, quality control, demand forecasting, and supply chain management, increasing efficiency and reducing waste.While AI adoption offers numerous advantages, it also presents challenges. High implementation costs, the need for skilled professionals, and cybersecurity risks are major concerns. Integrating AI into traditional infrastructure requires significant investment and adaptation. However, these challenges can be addressed through strategic investments in AI training programs, stronger cybersecurity frameworks, and phased AI integration to minimize disruption. Despite these hurdles, AI is essential for the future of the oil and gas industry. It enhances efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and ensures safer operations. As technology evolves, AI-driven solutions will continue to drive innovation, making the industry more sustainable, competitive, and adaptable to future energy demands

Image source : Suara.com/Ema RohimahThe recent hike in the price of fuel oil has left the public infuriated. On the same day when President Joko Widodo and the ministers held a press conference last September, the official fuel price increased by 30 percent. The hike—the first in eight years—raised the Pertalite's price from Rp. 7.650 to Rp. 10.000 per liter, diesel price from Rp. 5.150 to Rp. 6.800, and Pertamax from Rp 12.500 to Rp 14.500. This then begs a question, why did the price of gasoline rise?One thing we should know, anything that impacts crude oil will affect gasoline. The price of crude oil, however, always fluctuates.  One of the factors that can influence the recent price of crude oil is the supply and demand of crude oil.The principle of supply and demand is the same as what we’ve learned at school, when demand increases, oil prices rise (or supply decreases), and vice versa. For example, Brent crude oil, a type of crude oil, plummeted to $22.58 a barrel in March 2020, reaching its lowest level since 2002 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That can happen because a lot of businesses closed, which caused the low demand for oil.Geopolitical events in any of the major oil-producing countries might also result in oil trade wars and affect oil prices. Oil prices can skyrocket as a result of conflict or crisis. This is because traders are concerned that it will limit the oil supply, causing prices to rise. The recent Russia-Ukraine conflict made oil prices top $100 per barrel for the first time since 2014 in February. What a number.In addition to crude oil, outside factors may also contribute to raising the price. Retail prices for fuel oil can be influenced by production costs and government regulations, too. The components of production costs that must be considered are the cost of crude oil, the cost of refining, the cost of distribution and marketing, and the cost of taxes. According to the Finance Ministry, Sri Mulyani, the economic price (crude oil price + production cost combined) for Pertalite is supposed to be Rp. 14.450 per liter while diesel is Rp. 13.950 per liter. Of course, the retail gasoline prices that we pay in SPBU are already subsidized by the government.Difference between subsidized prices at the pump and economic prices in Indonesia. Source: Investor Daily Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel UpdateGovernment policy plays a vital role in ensuring that the price is reasonable for both the people and the country. According to President Joko Widodo, the energy subsidy had tripled this year from its original budget, triggered by rising global prices of oil and gas. So, rather than increasing the number of subsidies, the decision to raise fuel prices appears plausible for the time being. But why isn't the price of gasoline rising in neighboring countries like Malaysia?Well, despite having similarities in many aspects, the production and distribution of energy are structurally quite different due to factors like market size and domestic supply. Indonesia has not recently made significant profits because the domestic market has become the primary market, which is more political and economical to people than profit-driven. This presents a challenge because consumers are used to the days of cheap, plentiful oil, while Indonesia is producing less than it once did. Oil production and consumption in Indonesia Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy, various yearsPertamina’s limited refinery capacity means that it has become ever more reliant on imports and thus more sensitive to swings in global energy prices. Contrarily, Malaysia has consistently generated profits and has managed to hold gasoline prices steady despite volatility in the world energy markets. It is difficult to compare the two countries since Malaysia has a much smaller domestic market than Indonesia.The rising of fuel prices is a really sensitive issue, any changes will have a significant impact on households and small businesses. Indonesia probably needs to allocate more spending toward human resources investment, like creating more jobs and improving education, in order to be resilient to the swings of global energy. It must do more than just raise the prices to benefit from its demographic transition.References: https://thediplomat.com/2022/09/why-the-price-of-petrol-increased-in-indonesia-but-not-in-malaysia/https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-are-oil-prices-determined-3305650#:~:text=What%20affects%20the%20price%20of,supply%2C%20and%20expected%20global%20demand.https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/072515/top-factors-reports-affect-price-oil.asphttps://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/determining-oil-prices.asp

What is LNG?Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been reduced to a liquid state, through a process of cooling. LNG is odorless, colorless, non-toxic, and non-corrosive, but hazards include flammability after vaporization into a gaseous state, freezing, and asphyxia. It is typically 85-95% methane, which contains less carbon than other forms of fossil fuels, and also contains tiny amounts of ethane, propane, butane, and nitrogen. Why does LNG matter to energy security?In order to solve the energy trilemma—which means finding a balance between affordability, environmental sustainability, and energy security—LNG is essential. Since it effectively removes pollutants like SOx and NOx, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is acknowledged as a more environmentally friendly fuel substitute that helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions. It is the cleanest burning hydrocarbon that provides a clean solution to industrial sectors that need a high calorific value and the most difficult to electrify. It also can be used in a variety of industries, including power generation, manufacturing, and transportation. Natural gas power generation emits 45% to 55% less greenhouse gasses than coal. In developing economies, it will replace traditional biomass in heating and cooking which helps to reduce the health impacts of localized emissions from other fuels. As a fuel for heavy-duty road transportation, LNG has also demonstrated a notable decrease in emissions (both greenhouse and particulate) when compared to alternative fuels, thus helps diversify the fuel mix and lower air pollution. The benefits of using LNG in the oil and gas industry and its role in clean energy transitionsThe oil and gas industry is playing an important role in the energy transition by providing affordable and reliable energy. The industry is working through many cross-sector initiatives on the scale-up of quantification and resolution of methane emissions. An increasing number of oil and gas companies are part of the growth in the renewable energy sector investing in and producing energy through renewable technologies, in particular, wind, solar power, and biofuels. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions from operations through energy efficiency, flare reduction, and methane management, as well as increasingly powering operations with low-carbon or renewable energy sources, the oil and gas industry can considerably contribute to a net zero future. And through the increasing adoption of improved engine-fuel system efficiencies and the development of low-carbon mobility technologies like electric vehicles, biofuels, liquefied natural gas, ammonia, and hydrogen fuel cells, companies are also helping their customers to reduce their emissions.Strategic deal trends and projects in LNG in oil & gas industryGlobal demand for LNG is expected to continue growing. According to McKinsey, LNG demand is projected to grow by 0.5 percent from 2035 to 2050, with more than 200 million metric tons of new capacity required during this period. The share of LNG in the global gas supply is expected to increase from 13% to 23% by 2050, as it meets demand growth and replaces declining pipeline and domestic gas. The urgency to meet this demand is intensifying due to growing energy demand from regions such as Asia and the declining supply of domestic gas and the interruption of piped supply (such as Russian piped gas supply to Europe).