Pertamina Drilling Way

This morning, I read an article on the “Energia” which discusses about the Pertamina’s journey to create drilling standardization for all Pertamina’s subsidiaries. An oil and gas industry relies on the sophistication and success of drilling operations. In other words, there has never been an oil and gas natural resource obtained commercially without drilling. Drilling operations is a vital role to continue the plan of the subsurface team (Exploration), so that oil can be lifted to surface to be produced. Without these activities, the presence of petroleum and gas cannot be proven and produced to the surface. It also needs a high investment. To rent a rig only, for example, reaches 30 thousand dollars per day. In additions, the rig performance is depends on its maintenance. Therefore, an appropriate inspection must be done regularly.

So, what is “Pertamina Drilling Way”? Pertamina Drilling Way (PDW) as part of Priority Initiative made by Pertamina’s Upstream Directorate in order to improve drilling performance. The PDW is summarized in a guidebook as a guide to standardizing the upstream director’s subsidiary drilling activities. For example, most drilling designs are carried out according to the company custom. They might claim it as a best practices for their field case which is (sometimes) contrary to engineering aspects. The last two cases are the most valid examples. One overseas, namely, the incident in the Gulf of Mexico which makes BP almost bankrupted. One more from within the country, namely the Lapindo case, a heartbreaking tragedy that has hitherto have not ended yet.

PT Pertamina (Persero) needs a great miles to compile Pertamina Drilling Way (PDW). PDW does not automatically guarantee an increase in production. It only makes sure the drilling goes according to the plan and run safely. There is no case in the middle of the drilling operations, the rig was damaged which makes the activities had to be stopped due to the technical/non-technical issues. So far there are three companies that carry out these guidances, namely PHE, PGE, and PEP. From this fact, it is clear how important and central a drilling activity is to bring Pertamina into operational excellences.

Reference:
Energi Asia (Energia), Edisi Tahun I Volume 10