Heaptalk, Jakarta — Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) is delving into the natural hydrogen potential in eastern Indonesia. This pioneering initiative is being carried out in close collaboration with esteemed partners, including the Faculty of Exploration and Production Technology, Pertamina University, the Geological Survey Center, and the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (KESDM).
PHE has initiated the G&G study of the potential for natural hydrogen, also known as geologic hydrogen, in East Sulawesi Ophiolite. This study, kickstarted through a meeting held in Bandung (05/06), is driven by the company’s proactive preparation for clean energy exploration. The latest research from the Geological Survey Center (PSG) in the East Sulawesi Opholite area has successfully identified the presence of geologic hydrogen through the Tanjung Api seepage gas and the Bahodopi Hot Spring in the Matano Fault route, further fueling our optimism about the potential of this clean energy source.
Moreover, this study also supports PHE’s vision, mission, and roadmap related to Emission Reduction in 2025–2034. Exploring natural hydrogen is a tangible embodiment of PHE’s sustainability policy, reinforcing its commitment to becoming an environmentally friendly company that provides energy access and supports green energy. This initiative also plays a pivotal role in supporting the national climate transition agenda, further underlining our dedication to environmental responsibility.
Welcoming the decade of geologic hydrogen
On the occasion, the VP of New Venture at Pertamina Hulu Energi Bintoro Wibowo said that exploring geologic/natural hydrogen would be one of Pertamina’s hopes for providing greener and cleaner energy. “We are talking about how, in the future, this will be the leading energy for the world towards the decade of geologic hydrogen and net zero emissions,” said Bintoro Wibowo.
In this initiative, PHE entrusted Pertamina University to lead the company’s first study to examine the potential of geologic hydrogen. This activity involves a lot of science, including geological mapping, surveying, geochemical data collection, and geophysical data collection, which is very complex and complete. Bintoro added, “This study is expected to be the first step for PHE and Indonesia to realize the results of our efforts to carry out and search for clean energy sources in the future.”
A researcher from the Geological Survey Center of the KESDM Geological Agency, Ruly Setiawan, said that his party welcomed Pertamina’s initiative to try to uncover the potential of Geologic Hydrogen in Indonesia. “Some time ago, with PHE colleagues, we discussed plans to reveal geologic or natural hydrogen, specifically in the Sulawesi region. Hence, this is a kind of luck since, thus far, perhaps we haven’t focused too much on the potential of geologic hydrogen. Hopefully, the future will be quite promising,” Ruly explained.
Following the kickoff meeting, PHE held a focus group discussion for two days on May 7-8, 2024, to formulate and review technical policy actions for geological hydrogen exploration steps. The discussion was attended by PHE officers from both central and regional offices, as well as various parties and all stakeholders, including academics from universities (ITB, Unpad, UGM, Uper, Unhas), government (ESDM, DEN, BRIN, Pusdatin, BBSPGL, BBPMGB Lemigas), industry (Schlumberger), and professional ties (IAGI, HAGI).
