Pertamina: Guaranteeing Supply to Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery, Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project Starts

Subholding Gas and Subholding Refining & Petrochemical of Pertamina build synergies to support the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery development by developing the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project to ensure gas supply to PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan.

The milestone that marked the start of the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project was carried out with the First Welding event for pipe connections, 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, and the Board of Commissioners and Directors of PT Pertamina Gas.

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

As a representative of the Pertamina Gas Subholding Board of Directors, Achmad Muchtasyar, Director of Technology & Infrastructure of PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN), emphasized the significance of the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project in his remarks. “This gas pipeline infrastructure is an integral part of the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery development,” he said. With guaranteed energy supply, it will contribute to the optimization of refinery operations in the future,” explained Achmad.

Feri Yani, President Director of PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan, said the synergy between Pertamina’s subsidiaries would support the acceleration of the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery development program. “The Pertamina Balikpapan refinery is one of the national strategic projects aimed at increasing refinery processing and production capacity. With this synergy, we are sure that the Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery can increase fuel production with optimal quantity and quality for the needs in the Eastern Indonesia region,” explained Feri.

Gamal Imam Santoso, President Director of PT Pertamina Gas (Pertagas), conveyed his commitment to complete the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline Project. “Our commitment is to help Pertamina Balikpapan Refinery get a gas pipeline infrastructure that is reliable, efficient and can operate on time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the working process on the Senipah-Balikpapan Gas Pipeline project will continue to follow health protocols,” said Gamal.

This pipeline will later cross Kutai Kartanegara Regency and Balikpapan City. The support of all stakeholders and strong synergy with the implementing contractor PT PGAS Solution and the pipe supplier PT Krakatau Pipe Industries, will also 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%.

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