Strengthening Security of National Vital Object, Pertamina - Indonesian Navy Conducts Emergency Drill

Jakarta, November 23, 2023 - Pertamina continues to enhance its energy infrastructure security by collaborating with the Elite Forces of the Indonesian Navy, namely the Anti-Terror Detachment Jalamangkara (Denjaka). The Indonesian Navy's Elite Forces involvement is evident in the liberation simulation of the hijacked MT Sanga-Sanga ship in the waters of Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Thursday, November 23, 2023.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, stated that energy infrastructure is a vital national object that requires strict security. Therefore, Pertamina collaborates with various stakeholders, such as the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri).

"Pertamina must ensure the security of all energy infrastructure to maintain national energy reserves and resilience," Fadjar said.

Fadjar added that ensuring national energy resilience is as important as safeguarding the nation's sovereignty. Hence, the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police play a frontline role in protecting Pertamina's assets across Indonesia.

"This simulation is expected to strengthen the synergy between Pertamina, Indonesian National Armed Forces, National Police, and all stakeholders so that in emergencies, they could be promptly addressed, as depicted in the simulation," Fadjar added.

Admiral Heru Kusmanto, Commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command (Pangkoarmada RI), mentioned that the exercise execution to handle security disturbances at sea was carried out swiftly by deploying 274 personnel from the Denjaka anti-terror detachment, supported by various elements of the Indonesian Navy.

"We are conducting exercises to handle security disturbances at sea, specifically addressing security issues such as piracy and sabotage. We hope this strength is more solid and synergizes well with Pertamina," Heru said.

Meanwhile, Lelin Aprianto, Senior Vice President of HSSE of Pertamina (Persero), stated that Balikpapan was chosen as the exercise location because Pertamina has comprehensive business entities in the city, ranging from the holding level to the complete sub-holding level.

"Balikpapan is one of the locations where the Pertamina Group has complete assets and sub-holdings. Thus, the involvement of almost all parties, together with the Indonesian Navy, can be maximized in this exercise. We appreciate the Indonesian Navy for the successful joint exercise," Lelin said.

In the simulation in the waters of Balikpapan, the MT Sanga-Sanga tanker, about to enter Balikpapan Bay, was attacked by 20 armed hijackers using two speedboats, approaching from the left side of the ship's hull. One crew member witnessed and reported to the bridge (Officer on Watch). The Tanker Captain received the report and ordered to activate the emergency response on the ship, while the Ship Captain reported the ship's coordinate position to the Company Security Officer.

During the hijacking, all crew members were held hostage on the bridge or the ship's deck. Communication with the ship was severed. The tanker was taken over by the hijackers, attempting to take the ship away from its original destination. The ship's anchor was dragged, hitting the underwater 16" oil pipe from the Tanjung Field to the Balikpapan Refinery. The Offshore Oil Platform of Pertamina at Sepinggan was also not spared from the attackers.

The hijackers demanded a USD 10 million ransom transferred to a Swiss bank account and 10 billion Indonesian Rupiah in cash. The hijackers threatened to kill one crew member every five minutes if demands were not met.

The Indonesian Navy conducted surveillance from the Normalize Unmanned Installation (NUI) in preparation for the attack. In a short time, the Indonesian Navy tactically handled the situation, launching air and sea attacks, including underwater infiltration and parachuting to surround and overcome the situation on the MT Sanga-Sanga.

Denjaka forces attacked from underwater using Sea Rider to assault the hijackers on the tanker. Indonesian Navy forces performed parachute jumps and landed on a rubber duck offshore around the Offshore Oil Platform of Sepinggan, owned by Pertamina. The Indonesian Navy forces attacked the hijackers on the tanker and the offshore platform, successfully neutralizing all threats.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**