Balikpapan– PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT) welcomed a benchmarking visit from students of SMA Luqman Al-Hakim, one of the schools located within the company's operational area in Balikpapan. A total of 20 students and accompanying teachers participated in the event held at the Pasir Ridge Community Center on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 

During the visit, PHKT provided an in-depth presentation on upstream oil and gas operations and the industry's role as one of the strategic sectors supporting government policies on energy self-sufficiency and national economic development. The students eagerly listened to the material presented, which included detailed explanations of exploration and exploitation activities in the East Kalimantan & Attaka Work Area, one of the work areas managed by PHKT. 

PHKT's Kalimantan Field Manager, Suwantono Widji, expressed his appreciation for the initiative to conduct the benchmarking visit. "We are delighted and welcome the opportunity to share knowledge about upstream oil and gas activities with the younger generation," he said.  He emphasized that educating and increasing public understanding of the company and the upstream oil and gas industry is a mandate for PHKT. "We believe that the younger generation is the nation's future. Therefore, they must understand oil and gas resource exploration and exploitation, which play a vital role in driving the economy and development," he explained. Suwantono added that raising awareness among students today could strengthen public support for the upstream oil and gas industry for the benefit of the nation and state. 

The first session, led by Eko Priyono, PHKT's senior analyst of Development and planning, provided a comprehensive overview of upstream oil and gas processes, their role in national energy resilience, and the challenges faced by the industry. 

Next, participants learned about the origins of petroleum, from the geological processes over millions of years to the subsurface mapping technology used to detect hydrocarbon deposits. Yandi Pramudita from PHKT's Communication Relations & CID (CRC) Team presented this material. "Petroleum is formed from plants or microorganisms that decompose through processes that span millions of years," Yandi explained. 

Another session, delivered by Dwi Parasamyanto Ardi, highlighted the importance of communication in the professional world. "Effective communication is the key to success, both in the workplace and society," he stated. 

One of the 12th-grade students, Nur Alif, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn directly from PHKT professionals. "I gained much new knowledge about the oil and gas industry today. I hope PHKT continues to thrive and inspire the younger generation like us," he said. Meanwhile, the school representative, M. Fadhlul Mujahid, emphasized the importance of the visit as part of the learning process. "The oil and gas industry is one of the pillars of the national economy. Understanding this sector can foster students' nationalism and concern for the nation's future," he remarked. 

As a token of appreciation, the school presented a certificate of appreciation to PHKT's leadership for the valuable opportunity provided. PHKT reiterated its commitment to supporting education and communities through its social and environmental responsibility (TJSL) programs. This visit is a tangible example of synergy between the education sector and the oil and gas industry in creating a competitive and contributing younger generation for the nation's progress.

PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT) is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) responsible for managing upstream oil and gas operations in alignment with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the East Kalimantan & Attaka Work Area. Collaborating with SKK Migas, PHKT, and other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates, continuously innovate and apply advanced technologies to produce safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly energy, contributing to #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. For more information about PHI, visit https://phi.pertamina.com.