Balikpapan – In commemoration of Orangutan Day on August 19, PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) continues to strengthen its support for orangutan rehabilitation and habitat restoration efforts. Through collaboration with Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation, PHI, through its subsidiary, PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), and its affiliates, namely PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Sangasanga Field and Tanjung Field, supports orangutan adoption programs, rehabilitation needs, and vegetation restoration in wildlife habitats, particularly around the Company’s oil and gas operational areas in Kalimantan.

To support orangutans throughout the rehabilitation process, PHI contributes food, healthcare, medicines, medical examinations, enrichment, and skills development needed for independent survival in their natural habitat. Support also targets habitat restoration, as shown by PHM planting 400 trees across a one-hectare area, including Bengkirang, Balangeran, Shorea leprosula, and Kapur. The area will subsequently be maintained and protected for five years to support vegetation growth and ecosystem restoration.

President Director of PHI, Muharram Jaya Panguriseng, said orangutan conservation is part of the Company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable upstream oil and gas operations by preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem balance across its operational areas in Kalimantan. “We believe that harmonious relationships with empowered and independent communities, together with a sustainable environment, will support the continuity of the Company’s oil and gas production for decades to come. Therefore, environmental protection is an integral part of the implementation of the Company’s sustainability principles and strategies,” he said.

Therefore, PHI continues to support orangutan conservation and habitat restoration efforts together with stakeholders to ensure long-term benefits. Through its collaboration with BOS Foundation, PHI supports the orangutan rehabilitation process, which requires time, consistency, and collective commitment. Muharram expressed hope that the Company’s support could help more orangutans redevelop their natural abilities until they are ready to return to their habitat.

The orangutan rehabilitation process is gradual and tailored to each individual's development. At Samboja Lestari, for example, Anggoro, an 11-year-old male orangutan, continues to develop his survival skills through activities at the socialization complex. Meanwhile, at Nyaru Menteng, Bumi, a 9-year-old male orangutan, has reached the Pre-Release Island after previously undergoing training at Forest School.

Other orangutans have also shown progress in their respective development. Monita, a 7-year-old female orangutan, has become increasingly skilled at exploring trees, foraging for fruit, and building nests. Ecky, a 10-year-old female orangutan, can now recognize and eat around 50 types of natural food and build her own nests. Meanwhile, Otan and Feruza, both aged 5, continue to develop their climbing skills, ability to recognize natural food, and nest-building skills at Samboja Lestari Forest School.

Manager Environment PHI, Kemas Adrian, explained that orangutan rehabilitation is not a short process. The animals must go through several stages to rebuild their natural abilities, from recognizing food and exploring their surroundings to climbing trees and building nests, before they are considered ready to live independently in the wild. Therefore, he believes conservation efforts must be carried out in an integrated manner, from protecting individual animals to restoring and managing their habitats. “Orangutan rehabilitation cannot be separated from efforts to restore and protect their habitat. Therefore, our support does not only focus on the needs of individual orangutans during the rehabilitation process, but also on strengthening the ecosystem through vegetation restoration and sustainable habitat management,” Kemas said.

He added that habitat restoration is essential to ensure an environment that can support orangutans once they have developed the skills required to return to the wild. “When orangutans are ready to return to their natural habitat, a healthy environment that can provide adequate food sources and living space becomes an important part of the success of the process,” he said.

Orangutan conservation efforts are aligned with PHI’s commitment to conducting upstream oil and gas operations that are safe, reliable, and compliant with environmental regulations. PHI also believes that mitigating the risks of environmental impacts is a strategic measure to preserve the environment while maintaining the sustainability of the Company’s oil and gas production, which plays an important role in supporting national energy availability and security.

Kemas also explained that over the past five years, PHI has planted more than 600,000 trees, including endemic Kalimantan species and fruit trees, around its upstream oil and gas operational areas in Kalimantan to support flora and fauna conservation and reduce carbon emissions. Through collaboration with conservation organizations, the government, communities, and other stakeholders, PHI continues its efforts to preserve Kalimantan's biodiversity. “We believe in the importance of shared commitment and concrete action to ensure that upstream oil and gas operations go hand in hand with efforts to protect the environment and sustain ecosystems for future generations,” he concluded.

PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) is part of Pertamina’s Subholding Upstream and manages upstream oil and gas operations and business activities in Regional 3 Kalimantan, covering Zona 8, Zona 9, and Zona 10, in accordance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in pursuit of its vision to become a world-class oil and gas company. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates working together with SKK Migas, PHI implements innovative Corporate Social Responsibility programs in the areas of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and realize #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. For more information about PHI, visit https://phi.pertamina.com.