Pembangunan Pipa Gas Sempah - Balikpapan Capai 80 Percent, PGN Subholding Gas Pertamina Tekan Aspek HSSE

JAKARTA - PT PGN Tbk as Pertamina Gas Subholding continues to maintain that the construction of the Seinpah - Balikpapan Pipe runs smoothly in accordance with the set target and always prioritizes the HSSE aspect. Currently, the progress of natural gas infrastructure development has reached 80 percent and is targeted for commissioning in July 2023.

In order to ensure the supply of natural gas to the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery, this pipeline will later be able to flow natural gas for the needs of the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery up to 125 MMSCFD from the gas field located in the Seinpah area, East Kalimantan.

The progress of the construction of the 78 KM gas pipeline is directly reviewed by PGN Commissioner Warih Sadono, PGN Infrastructure and Technology Director Achmad Muchtasyar, and PGN Director of Sales and Operations Faris Aziz at the Walkthrough Management (MWT), Tuesday 4 April.

"We appreciate the (Senipah-Balikpapan) pipeline project which has progress so far. We urge you to always prioritize safety in the development process. If there are obstacles, it will be communicated immediately. This may be communicated if there are unsafe conditions, so that mitigation, prevention and improvement can be carried out immediately," said PGN Commissioner Warih Sadono. in his statement, Wednesday, April 5.

Warih also emphasized that the project must be carried out carefully in order to be on track. This project can be a form of maximum service from PGN for the community.

PGN's Director of Infrastructure and Technology Achmad Muchtasyar also ensured that the construction of the Seinpah-Balikpapan Pipe had implemented the golden rules of the HSSE Pertamina. He appealed to all parties involved in pipeline construction work to be humble in working to be aware of hazards, and serve anyone professionally, including keeping social activities of the surrounding community from being disrupted.

Achmad explained that the 189-meter-long Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) work is currently being carried out to connect the pipeline to the Pertamina Refinery area.

"The challenge is that traffic is quite solid so it must prioritize safety commitment. There are several pipelines that are planned to be planted under the road shoulder which are neat with the open cut method. However, the construction method was decided to turn into HDD, so that Balikpapan as an IKN support area remains neat, according to the direction from the Government," explained Achmad.

For information, HDD is a method of installing underground pipes using drills so as not to disturb the above soil layer. Drilling is carried out from one end of the hole lane (early) and taken at the other end (end). The HDD method can minimize excavation, so that the construction process does not interfere with community activities.

"This project is a synergy between Pertamina Group to maximize Pertamina's value as an energy provider for the country. PGN Subholding Gas supports the RDMP program of RU V Balikpapan refinery as a National Strategic project and developing natural gas infrastructure in East Kalimantan," said Achmad.

Achmad hopes that PGN's performance can continue to grow so that infrastructure can be improved to serve natural gas needs in various sectors in the East Kalimantan region.

PGN Director of Sales and Operations Faris Aziz added that the implementation of HSSE is very important in the construction of the Sevenah-Balikpapan pipeline. After Ramadan, it is hoped that the construction process will approach the final stage.

"Coordination with external parties must be maintained, so that they can pursue targets," said Faris.