PT Pertamina Hulu Energi Offshore Southeast Sumatra (PHE OSES) has marked a new milestone in the national upstream oil and gas industry by implementing Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (CEOR) technology at the Rama Field. This innovation marks the first time polymer injection technology has been applied at an offshore facility in Indonesia, projected to optimize the remaining oil reserves in a mature field.
The technology works by injecting a polymer solution into the reservoir to increase the sweep efficiency of oil trapped in rocks. Using this technique, Pertamina can maximize the oil recovery factor previously difficult to reach through conventional extraction methods, thereby extending the reservoir's productive life.
President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), Simon Aloysius Mantiri, emphasized that a mature oil field does not mean an expired asset. On the contrary, through innovative approaches like CEOR, mature assets retain strategic economic value to strengthen national energy security. This strategy is now a primary focus for the company to optimize existing assets rather than relying solely on new reserve discoveries.
Head of SKK Migas, Djoko Siswanto, welcomed the initiative positively and hopes that success at the Rama Field will serve as a catalyst for increasing national oil lifting. Prior to full implementation, the project underwent a series of in-depth technical studies, ranging from subsurface modeling to risk management, to ensure operational and work safety aspects are maintained.
PHE OSES targets the full optimal benefits of this CEOR implementation to be realized by 2030. This project serves not only to boost production but also as a pilot laboratory for the development of similar technology in other offshore oil and gas working blocks across Indonesia.
