Sustaining Production: The Story Behind the Libo Field's Electrical Reinforcement
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - In the oil and gas industry, production is not determined solely by the reserves stored beneath the earth’s surface. Behind every operating well, there is a support system working around the clock, one of which is a reliable electricity supply.
That awareness drove PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR) to strengthen electricity infrastructure at the Libo Field in Siak Regency, Riau. Through the Libo Substation Upgrade project, PHR increased the capacity of the Libo main substation from 10.5 MVA to 24.5 MVA, an addition of 14 MVA, to support the development of new wells and maintain the sustainability of oil and gas production in the Rokan Working Area.
For the Libo Southeast area, the increased power capacity is an non-negotiable requirement. The area is currently one of the focal points for developing production and injection wells. As drilling activity and the operation of production facilities have grown, electricity demand has risen significantly.
Various production equipment, from Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP) to Water Injection Pumps (WIP), requires a stable energy supply so that oil can be produced optimally. Without adequate electrical support, efforts to boost production would face considerable challenges.
GM of the Rokan Zone, Andre Wijanarko, said that infrastructure reliability is an essential foundation for maintaining oil and gas production performance.
“Through the Libo Substation Upgrade, PHR is ensuring a reliable electricity supply to support the operation of new wells and optimise oil and gas production for national energy needs,” he said on Wednesday (15/7/2026).
The project also demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between PHR and its working partners. Together with PT Indokomas Buana Perkasa as the EPC contractor, the project was completed in March 2026, two months ahead of the target set in the 2025 Work Programme & Budget (WP&B), which was May 2026.
Andre added that the system being completed ahead of target was part of PHR’s efforts to safeguard operational reliability for energy security, as well as to build a solid foundation for the future of the national oil and gas sector.
From a technical standpoint, the project included the installation of a 14 MVA power transformer, a 1.4 MVA voltage regulator, new protection and metering systems, the construction of an electrical control building, and the laying of around 2.5 kilometres of distribution cabling. All facilities underwent testing and commissioning before full operation. The Head of SKK Migas Representative for Sumbagut, Sebastian Julius, commended the completion of the project. According to him, the improvement of electricity infrastructure is an important step to support operational reliability and the achievement of production targets in the Rokan Zone.
“This infrastructure is extremely useful for supporting production in the Rokan Zone. Keep up the spirit of one goal: reliable, safe and efficient operations for production dependability,” he said.
Amid efforts to safeguard national energy security, the project shows that increasing oil and gas production does not always start with drilling new wells. Sometimes, the crucial step comes instead from strengthening supporting infrastructure that ensures every facility can operate safely, reliably and sustainably.
For PHR, the substation with its greater capacity is not merely an electrical facility. It is the driving force behind field operations, ensuring energy continues to flow so that oil and gas production from the Libo Field can keep contributing to Indonesia’s energy needs.