Facing Dual Challenges, Oil and Gas Industry Expects Comprehensive Policies

The Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) will be holding the 47th IPA Convention and Exhibition in 2023 (47th IPA Convex 2023) titled "Enabling Oil & Gas Investment and Energy Transition for Energy Security", which will take place offline on 25-27 July 2023, at ICE, BSD City.

IPA Vice President, Ronald Gunawan, told the media that this year's IPA Convex theme was chosen by considering two main existing conditions in the upstream oil and gas sector, both at the national and global level, namely the energy transition and upstream oil and gas investment.

Ronald said upstream oil and gas sector actors agree that the energy transition is a necessity and unavoidable. However, in the context of still high energy demand which tends to increase due to economic growth, it is believed that oil and gas as energy sources are still needed while the government is developing adequate new and renewable energy in Indonesia. "Therefore, fossil energy will still play an important role in meeting demand and supporting energy security," he said at the "Road to IPA Convex 2023" Press Conference, in Jakarta, Thursday (20/7).

He added the upstream oil and gas sector is integral to the plans of stakeholders in the energy sector to produce clean energy in the future so that the target of Net Zero Emissions in 2060 or sooner can be achieved. Reducing carbon emissions is carried out primarily by utilizing CCS/CCUS technology.
Ronald mentioned a number of discussion rounds with stakeholders in the upstream oil and gas sector will be held at this year's IPA Convex event to find solutions so that the dual targets set by the government, namely reducing carbon emissions and increasing oil and gas production, can be achieved. "Meeting energy needs and reducing carbon emissions to help reduce global warming must work hand-in-hand," he said.

In addition to various sessions of discussion, the IPA Convex 2023 committee also prepared a white paper which is a proposal from oil and gas industry players to achieve the desired oil and gas investment and efforts to reduce carbon emissions which are technically and economically applicable in Indonesia.

The Chairman of the Convex IPA 2022 Committee, Krishna Ismaputra, on the same occasion explained various Convex 2023 IPA programs. Apart from the 3-day program, IPA Convex 2023 will also present various facilities that help visitors attend and take part in all events at IPA Convex, "We provide various facilities such as Free Shuttle Buses at several points in Jakarta and also 200 coworking spaces at convention venues, the ICE, BSD City complete with wifi, snacks and free flow of coffee and tea, so visitors can keep working if needed," he said.

In addition, at this event, there is a session for the youth, namely “Youth@IPA” which provides opportunities for students to present their scientific work. "We invite students to attend IPA Convex through student visit activities and invite them to be involved in various student volunteer programs," he said.

In collaboration with Dyandra Promosindo, the IPA Convex 2023 is fully supported by sponsors from various national and international oil and gas companies, such as PT. Pertamina Hulu Energi as the Titanium sponsor; MedcoEnergi, Elsewedy Electric, COSL, bp Indonesia, Wood Mackenzie, PETRONAS Indonesia, and ExxonMobil Indonesia as Platinum sponsors; Energi Mega Persada and Mubadala Energy as Gold sponsors; and Conrad Asia Energy Ltd, Sinopec International Petroleum E&P Corporation (SIPC) Indonesia, Chevron, Harbor Energy, and INPEX MASELA LTD as Silver sponsors.

"Hopefully, IPA Convex 2023 will become an important event for all stakeholders and the wider public to better understand the important role of the oil and gas industry in the energy transition period, as well as provide awareness about the importance of protecting the environment by reducing carbon emissions," he said (*)