SPE ITS SC Empowers Students Through ONG 101 Seminar with Insights from KUFPEC Engineer Ir. Zulfikar A. Ali

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