Amid Geopolitical Turmoil, PIEP Evacuates Officers from Iraq and Dubai
PT Pertamina Internasional Eksplorasi dan Produksi (PIEP) has successfully relocated 11 officers working in Basra, Iraq and 8 officers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The evacuation process from Basra, Iraq to Jakarta required approximately 14 days due to the closure of several international airports, including those in Kuwait City, Dubai and Doha.
Awang Lazuardi, Chief Executive Officer of Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), stated that the dynamic geopolitical situation has affected the company’s operations in Iraq. “Alhamdulillah, thanks to excellent coordination from PIEP, PHE, Pertamina and support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indonesian embassies in several countries, our colleagues have returned home safely,” Awang remarked.
Syamsu Yudha, Chief Executive Officer of PIEP, emphasised that officer safety is the company’s paramount priority. PIEP implemented all Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) procedures and Business Continuity Plans (BCP) with discipline and coordination with Pertamina Holding, the Upstream Subholding, and relevant authorities.
“We continue to monitor the situation in real-time to ensure optimal protection for all personnel,” he stated.
He underscored that the company is conducting contingency plan assessments for evacuation routes, so that should airspace closures occur, future evacuation operations will be facilitated.
Pertamina Iraq Exploration & Production (PIREP) moved swiftly by activating its Emergency Response Team (ERT) immediately upon receiving information regarding attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Beyond intensive monitoring, PIREP simultaneously strengthened strategic communication and coordination with the Indonesian embassies in Baghdad, Kuwait City, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, as well as the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to monitor situational developments and anticipate security dynamics in the Middle Eastern region.
PIREP officers travelled overland from Basra, Iraq to the border at Safwan and entered Kuwait, proceeding onwards to Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, all personnel undertook air travel from Dammam to Jeddah and continued to Indonesia. Some personnel arrived in Jakarta on 10 March 2026, whilst the remainder arrived on 11 March 2026.
In addition to ensuring personnel safety, PIEP contacted families of all PIREP officers to provide direct updates on their condition and established a 24-hour hotline communications channel to ensure families received necessary information and support.