Escalating Iran-US Conflict Prompts Pertamina to Relocate Workers from Iraq and UAE

PT Pertamina Internasional Eksplorasi dan Produksi (PIEP) has relocated 11 officers working in Basra, Iraq, and 8 personnel based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Awang Lazuardi, Chief Executive Officer of Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), stated that the dynamic geopolitical conditions have significantly affected PHE’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 were able to return safely,” Awang said on Friday, 13 March 2026.

The evacuation process from Basra, Iraq to Jakarta required approximately 14 days. The extended timeline was necessary due to the closure of several international airports, including those in Kuwait City, Dubai and Doha.

Syamsu Yudha, Chief Executive Officer of PIEP, emphasised that the safety of officers is the company’s priority. PIEP implemented all Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) procedures and Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in a disciplined and coordinated manner 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,” Syamsu said. He confirmed that contingency plan assessments were conducted for evacuation routes to ensure that if airspace closures occur, future evacuation processes will be facilitated. Pertamina Iraq Exploration & Production (PIREP) responded swiftly by activating its Emergency Response Team immediately upon receiving information about attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Beyond intensive monitoring, PIREP strengthened strategic communication and coordination with the Indonesian Embassy in Baghdad, the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait City, the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor developments and anticipate security dynamics in the Middle East region.

PIREP officers travelled overland from Basra, Iraq to the border at Safwan and entered Kuwait, continuing to Dammam, Saudi Arabia. All personnel then travelled by air from Dammam to Jeddah and subsequently to Indonesia. Some personnel arrived in Jakarta on 10 March 2026, whilst the remainder arrived on 11 March 2026.