Preventive Technology Needed to Tackle Aging Oil and Gas Infrastructure
Jakarta — The national oil and gas industry faces a major challenge in aging infrastructure, as production facilities and pipeline networks have operated for decades. This condition is seen as driving an increased need for preventive technology to maintain operational reliability while reducing potential losses from production disruptions.
The issue was a highlight at IPA Convex 2026, where Henkel, a provider of industrial technology, introduced a range of asset protection and repair solutions for the oil & gas sector and heavy industry.
Hugo Quintanilla, Head of Infrastructure Protection & Repair APAC at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, explained that the need for solutions capable of extending asset life and improving energy efficiency has become a primary focus for the energy sector, including in Indonesia.
He stated that the challenges facing the oil and gas industry today are not only related to national production targets but also to aging infrastructure that requires more intensive maintenance. If not anticipated through long-term maintenance strategies, the situation could raise operating costs.
Hugo argued that asset management in the oil and gas sector should move from a reactive to a preventive approach. He said that emergency repair costs and lost production are far greater than the investment in preventive maintenance.
He noted that globally, one hour of downtime can cause losses of up to almost USD 500,000, or about IDR 8.8 billion. Therefore, the need for technology capable of minimising the risk of asset failure is becoming increasingly important for the industry.
At the exhibition, Henkel showcased a range of asset protection solutions, from technology to enhance the reliability of machinery and production equipment, long-term corrosion protection, reinforcement of process piping and piping networks, to thermal insulation coatings for heavy industry.
The company says the technology has been used in various national strategic projects, including hundreds of pipeline applications from Sumatra to Kalimantan. The implementation is seen as reflecting the growing need for asset protection solutions as industrial activity and energy consumption in Indonesia rise.