North Hub Project to Absorb Over 80,000 Indonesian Workers
The North Hub Development Project in the Makassar Strait is projected to absorb more than 80,000 Indonesian workers at the peak of its implementation. The deepwater gas development project is also becoming a primary driver of oil and gas fabrication industry activity in Batam, Bintan, and Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Islands.
Searah North Ganal CEO Mirko Araldi stated that the project will involve a record number of local contractors. In addition to the massive workforce absorption, the fabrication and integration of the 41,000 metric ton topside modules is estimated to require around 35 million man-hours.
“This project will involve a record number of local contractors, with peak workforce absorption reaching more than 80,000 workers in Indonesia,” Mirko said during the first steel cutting ceremony for the FPSO Bahtera Haluan Lestari on Thursday (23/7/2026).
SKK Migas Head Djoko Siswanto added that the North Hub development will open approximately 8,000 new jobs, particularly for local communities. He noted that this national strategic project not only strengthens national energy security but also drives economic growth and enhances the capacity of the domestic offshore fabrication industry.
Riau Islands Deputy Governor Nyanyang Haris Pratamura welcomed the significant workforce absorption from the project. He stated that the impact would be felt across three regencies/cities, namely Batam City, Bintan, and Tanjung Balai Karimun.
“Yes, thank you regarding the workforce absorption. This is truly extraordinary, so we express our gratitude. This supports President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, and we also thank the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Head of SKK Migas, and the Director General of ESDM for their tremendous contribution to investment in the Riau Islands Province,” Nyanyang said.
He affirmed that the provincial government, together with the Tanjung Balai Karimun Regency Government, will prepare human resources tailored to the investment needs. Workforce training and certification will be conducted regularly to ensure local workers’ competencies meet industry requirements.
“Therefore, together with the Regent of Tanjung Balai Karimun, we will prepare human resource investments that are aligned with the needs of this investment. The investment is high, and we will also prepare high-quality manpower,” Nyanyang stated.
According to Nyanyang, the Riau Islands Provincial Government conducts training every month tailored to the competencies, certifications, and specific needs of each investment. He also mentioned that the realised investment entering the Riau Islands Province in the second quarter reached approximately 44 billion US dollars.
The North Hub Development Project in the Makassar Strait is an integrated development project for the Geng North and Gehem fields in the Kutei Basin, offshore East Kalimantan. The project includes the construction of 16 development wells, subsea production systems, an FPSO, a 32-inch gas export pipeline, and a gas receiving facility at the Santan Terminal, with first production targeted for 2028.