Pertamina Starts Initial Operation Of RFCC Complex RDMP Balikpapan Unit

Pertamina refinery illustration (Photo: KPI)

PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional carried out initial operations as part of a series of stages of starting up main units processing or Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) Complex results from the Balikpapan Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) Project.

Just so you know, the RFCC unit is the main unit of the refinery, as the heart of the modernization of refineries that will produce standard fuel equivalent to Euro V and increase the efficiency and economic value of the Balikpapan Refinery.

Acting Corporate Secretary of KPI Milla Sutyani. explained, the Balikpapan RDMP project itself is a National Strategic Project (PSN) run by PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI), through its subsidiary PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan (KPB).

"With an investment value of 7.4 billion US dollars or equivalent to around Rp120 trillion, this project has become the largest refinery modernization in Indonesia and one of Southeast Asia's most strategic energy projects," Milla said, quoted on Tuesday, November 11.

He added that the Balikpapan RDMP project has completed several important project stages, namely the success of testing the capacity of the polling unit so as to increase the crude oil processing capacity from 260,000 to 360,000 barrels per day, commissioning the Single Point Mooring (SPM) 320,000 DWT mooring facilities for the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLC) type ship, completion of the construction of two units of New Crude Oil Storage Tanks with a capacity of 1 million barrels each in Lawe -lawe as well as the successful operation of the LPG Purification Unit with a current production capacity of 43,000 tons per year.

Milla added that the Balikpapan RDMP Project is a step to increase refinery capacity design from 260,000 to 360,000 barrels per day, and will produce additional production of gasoline, diesel, avtur, and LPG, all of which meet Euro V equivalent emission standards.

"The RDMP project will also produce an additional production capacity of 336,000 tons of LPG per year, making the Balikpapan refinery the main driver of the clean energy transition program in Indonesia," said Milla.

Economically, the Balikpapan RDMP will have a significant impact on national energy independence, with savings in fuel imports of up to Rp68 trillion per year and contributions to national GDP reaching Rp514 trillion. This project also has TKDN of more than 35 percent, and has absorbed more than 24,000 workers during the peak construction period.

"In addition to strengthening the national economic structure, this project has had a positive social impact through local infrastructure development, community empowerment, and CSR programs in the fields of education, health, and the environment," concluded Milla.