Pertamina Patra Niaga Ensures Fuel Quality Through Impurities Management at Refineries
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (PPN) is committed to prioritising consumer satisfaction by producing high-quality fuel products, such as petrol, diesel, and avtur. Before being released to the market, Pertamina Patra Niaga tightens the fuel production process, from processing at the refinery and testing in the laboratory, until it finally reaches the consumer.
Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Roberth MV Dumatubun, stated that one of the efforts to maintain fuel quality from Pertamina’s refineries is the impurities management process. This process reduces impurities that are naturally carried in crude oil. Impurities include content such as sulphur, salt, naphthenic acid, nitrogen, and heavy metals like nickel, vanadium, and mercury.
“This process prevents these substances from contaminating the crude oil and hindering refinery performance, so that the refinery products maintain their quality,” said Roberth.
This is what makes impurities management vital for the operational continuity of the downstream oil and gas industry, and most importantly, to maintain public trust in the quality of fuel products produced by Pertamina Patra Niaga.
Roberth explained that there are three stages of impurities management at the six refineries operating under Pertamina Patra Niaga. First, maintaining refinery operational flexibility through crude selection and mixing using a Crude Acceptance Matrix (CAM) and blending, so that high-impurity crude can still be processed safely.
Next, the pre-treatment and chemical treatment stage to reduce levels of water, salt, sulphur, nitrogen, and metals, supported by desalter technology, hydrotreating, and injection of corrosion-protecting chemicals. The final stage, asset integrity and reliability, ensures the refinery operates safely and sustainably with anti-corrosion materials, periodic inspections, and routine maintenance.
“The result of these three stages is high-quality and environmentally friendly fuel. With impurities management, the refinery is capable of producing Euro 4 standard fuel with lower sulphur content, such as Pertamax Turbo, Pertamax Green, and Pertamina Dex,” explained Roberth.
The advantages of Euro 4 products make car engines more durable due to minimal corrosion, resulting in a longer engine life. Fuel consumption is also more efficient because combustion is more efficient. Euro 4 standard fuel is also environmentally friendly. Its lower emissions reduce air pollution, thereby also supporting public health.
“Impurities management not only maintains the reliability of refineries operating under Pertamina Patra Niaga, but also provides consumers with a more comfortable driving experience. This effort simultaneously serves as the foundation of the company’s commitment to maintaining a sustainable and prime-quality national energy supply,” concluded Roberth.