PT Pertamina Internasional EP Expands to Middle East

• 15 Jul 2024
• mk.novian.kusmana

Dubai - PT Pertamina International EP (PIEP), the International Upstream Subholding of Pertamina, has expanded its global footprint by opening a new branch office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

Nicke Widyawati, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PT Pertamina (Persero), expressed optimism that the Dubai branch will facilitate PIEP's expansion and create opportunities for acquiring new blocks in the Middle East.

“The potential for business development and new block acquisition in the Middle East remains significant and promising. We anticipate that this new branch office will enhance our physical presence and provide both tangible and intangible benefits,” Nicke stated.

Nicke further explained that the new office would streamline access to information on international assets and help optimize operational costs between Jakarta and Dubai. This will enable Pertamina to seize business opportunities more swiftly and act as an extension for Pertamina's business development, paving the way for other Subholdings to establish a presence in the region.

“The opening of this office will not only bolster operational capabilities but also expand Pertamina Group's business. It will build Pertamina's supply chain and serve as a hub for human resource development through technology, business intelligence, and legal, supply chain management, and stakeholder relations teams with expertise in local business and legal regulations,” she added.

Chalid Said Salim, President Director of Pertamina Hulu Energi, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing PIEP's significant contribution to the Upstream Subholding's oil and gas production, which stands at about 20%.

“With the Dubai branch office, communication and coordination with partners will be more efficient. This move will also support our subsidiaries' international operations, complementing our domestic sector optimization efforts,” Chalid remarked.

Located in Almas Tower, the Dubai office will serve as PIEP’s representative office, promoting a global spirit to enhance revenue and added value. Jaffee A. Suardin, President Director of PIEP, mentioned that initial discussions for new oil and gas block investments with Iraq’s upstream oil and gas authority have been promising.

“We have invited Iraq’s upstream oil and gas authorities to Indonesia for a direct business overview of Pertamina. Our recent engagements with them have been positive, and we have extended invitations for them to visit several Pertamina-managed assets,” Jaffee explained.

This Dubai office is PIEP's third representative office abroad, joining PT Pertamina Algeria EP (PAEP) in Algeria and PT Pertamina Malaysia EP (PMEP) in Kuala Lumpur. The Dubai office’s strategic location reduces the time difference, making it easier to target opportunities in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and America.

Pertamina has been operating in Iraq with a 20% participation interest in Block West Qurna 1, contributing approximately 70% of PIEP’s total production. Located in southern Iraq near Basra, 400kilometers southeast of Baghdad, Pertamina partners with Petrochina, ITOCHU, Basra Oil Company, and Oil Exploration Company in this venture.
 

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