Guarantee Supply To Pertamina Refinery, Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project Starts

Photo: Doc. Pertamina

JAKARTA - Sub Holding Gas and Sub Holding Refining & Petrochemical Pertamina build a synergy to support the development of Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery. The collaboration was built in the form of the development of the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project to ensure gas supply to PT Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery.

The milestone that marked the start of the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project was carried out with the First Welding event for pipe connections which was held on Wednesday (06/07) at the Stockyard, Jalan Pulau Balang KM 13, Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan. The activity was attended by the Director of Technology & Infrastructure of PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk, the President Director of PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan, the Board of Commissioners and Directors of PT Pertamina Gas.

The construction of the 78 km gas pipeline with a diameter of 20 inches was carried out by one of Pertamina's Gas Sub Holding subsidiaries, namely PT Pertamina Gas (Pertagas). In the future, this gas pipeline segment will be fully utilized for the needs of the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery by flowing gas from the field in the Senipah area of East Kalimantan with a maximum capacity of 125 MMSCFD.

In his remarks, Achmad Muchtasyar, Director of Technology & Infrastructure of PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN) as a representative of the Board of Directors of Pertamina Gas Sub Holding conveyed the importance of the construction of the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline.

"This gas pipeline infrastructure is an integral part of the development of the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery, with guaranteed energy supply, it will certainly contribute to the optimization of refinery operations in the future," explained Achmad.

In line with PGN, Feri Yani, President Director of PT Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery, said that the synergy between Pertamina's subsidiaries will support the acceleration of the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery development program.

"The Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery is one of the national strategic projects that aims to increase the processing capacity and refinery production. With this synergy, we believe that the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery will be able to increase fuel production with optimal quantity and quality for the needs in Eastern Indonesia," explained Feri.

Gamal Imam Santoso, President Director of PT Pertamina Gas (Pertagas) conveyed his commitment to be able to complete the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project properly.

"Our commitment is to help Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery get a gas pipeline infrastructure that is reliable, efficient and can operate on time. In the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the entire process of working on the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline project continues to follow health protocols," said Gamal.

This pipeline will later cross Kutai Kartanegara Regency and Balikpapan City. The support of all stakeholders as well as strong synergy with the implementing contractor PT PGAS Solution and the pipe supplier PT Krakatau Pipe Industries will certainly greatly support the smooth implementation of the project. The Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project also prioritizes optimal use of domestic resources with a TKDN level of 55 percent

The interconnection of the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery and the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline will support the Indonesian government's program in the field of national energy security, especially for the eastern part of Indonesia.