Balongan Refinery optimises SPM for crude oil distribution

PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Refinery Unit (RU) Balongan in Indramayu, West Java, is optimising its Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility with a capacity of 165,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) to facilitate the distribution of Jatibarang Crude Oil (JCO) produced by PT Pertamina EP. Executive General Manager of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga RU Balongan Yulianto Triwibowo said the optimisation is being carried out through cooperation with PT Pertamina EP Zone 7. He stated that the joint utilisation of the SPM facility is a sound strategy for optimising company infrastructure so that the Pertamina Group’s business operations can support one another. He noted that Balongan Refinery, which has processed crude oil from Duri and Minas in Riau Province since it began operations, now also absorbs Jatibarang crude oil from Indramayu as feedstock for fuel production. According to him, the use of domestically produced crude oil can support the refinery’s operational continuity while opening opportunities to reduce crude oil imports. He expressed hope that the cooperation will proceed well and have an impact on increasing the company’s margin, as well as reducing crude oil imports. The 165,000 DWT SPM is a floating berthing facility in the open sea owned by Balongan Refinery, located approximately 15 to 18 kilometres from the shore, and serves to load and unload crude oil from large tankers. Crude oil from vessels is then channelled to the refinery through undersea pipelines. To maintain operational safety, joint personnel from Balongan Refinery routinely conduct patrols and inspections of the SPM to anticipate leaks and marine environmental pollution. Meanwhile, General Manager of Pertamina EP Zone 7 Jufrianson Alfredo Sinaga said the utilisation of the 165,000 DWT SPM enables Jatibarang crude oil to be distributed to other refineries as needed while maintaining production continuity. He said the connection between crude oil production and processing facilities is one of the factors that can strengthen national energy security. He added that optimising the facility helps ensure that crude oil produced by his company can be channelled to processing facilities. He remarked that this is something to be grateful for because there is a balance between crude production capacity and refinery capacity, at least reducing imports and maintaining national energy security.