Kutai Kartanegara– PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Sangasanga Field has once again achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the PROPER Gold Award from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry/Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK). This award recognizes the company's excellence in environmental management and its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Ekoriparian Sungai Hitam Lestari (SHL), in Samboja District, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan (February 24, 2025). Winning this prestigious award for two consecutive years, following its 2023 achievement, reinforces PEP Sangasanga Field's commitment to sustainability.

The PROPER Gold Award is a testament to the company's dedication to maintaining environmental balance while empowering local communities through sustainable initiatives. The Ekoriparian SHL program has successfully developed a green infrastructure concept along riverbanks, integrating wastewater treatment systems with community education and empowerment activities.

Senior Manager of PEP Sangasanga Field, Sigid Setiawan, emphasized the collaborative effort behind this success. "This achievement results from strong synergy between the company, the community, and the government. Our CSR initiatives focus on social and environmental innovations that create lasting impacts. This award proves that our efforts are making a real difference in sustainability and community development," he said.

In 2024, the Ekoriparian SHL program expanded with a more structured approach, incorporating buffer Zonas with agroforestry and nurseries, ecotourism and community activity areas, and wastewater treatment facilities. The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) implemented within the program is designed to adapt to river tide fluctuations, ensuring consistent water quality improvements.

The initiative has led to the preservation of 120 hectares of mangrove forests, which absorb 265.48 tons of CO2 equivalent annually, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The WWTP system has also successfully lowered Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels to 3 mg/liter and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels to 3.1 mg/liter while generating 4,734 kg of sludge annually. These figures highlight the program's effectiveness in environmental conservation.

Head of Communication Relations & CID Zona 9, Elis Fauziyah, highlighted the program's broader impact beyond environmental benefits. "This initiative has empowered 88 community members, involving them in WWTP operations, tourism awareness groups/Kelompok Sadar Wisata (Pokdarwis), and small business enterprises under SHL and Kuala Samboja. These activities have enhanced skills and created new economic opportunities," she explained.

Additionally, deploying nine floating WWTPs has improved community well-being and raised awareness about sustainable wastewater management. This program's success has set a benchmark for conservation initiatives that can be replicated in other regions.

By securing the PROPER Gold Award again, PT Pertamina EP Sangasanga Field reaffirms its commitment to responsible business practices that balance operational excellence with environmental and social responsibility. This recognition further solidifies the company's position as a leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship in Indonesia.

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Sangasanga Field operates under Subholding Upstream Regional 3, led by PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), in managing upstream oil and gas operations and business according to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Through collaboration with SKK Migas, PEP Sangasanga Field, along with PHI subsidiaries and affiliates, implements innovative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs in the fields of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. More information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.