PetroChina Jabung Continues to Nurture Collaboration Spirit with Local Governments

04 December 2023 by
Mohammad Iman Mahditama

PetroChina International Jabung Ltd. (PCJL), which operates Jabung Working Area under the monitoring and supervision of SKK Migas, reaffirms its commitment to nurturing good relations and collaboration spirit with local governments in Jambi Province. This is in line with the company’s efforts to support various community development efforts in its operational area.

SKK Migas Southern Sumatra Representative Office’s Formality and Communication Department Head, Safe’i, said that his office required all upstream oil and gas activities to be carried out in massive, aggressive and efficient manners in order to support national energy security. Through these efforts, upstream oil and gas activities must also create multiplier effect in the regions where they are carried out. These include support for local development and environmental protection in synergy with local governments, in order to boost people’s welfare. “PetroChina Jabung, which operates in Jambi Province, must carry this out,” Safe’i said, adding that the company contributes the most among production sharing contractors (PSC) in Southern Sumatra region and has always been active in carrying out community development programs.

“All programs that PCJL have carried out are proof of the company’s commitment in local development. Through continuous coordination with SKK Migas, the company always carries out all programs agreed upon in the annual work plan and budgeting,” he explained.   

Meanwhile, PCJL Field Manager Jabung Rudy Hermawan said, “As part of oil and gas upstream industry operating in Jambi Province, we have continuously nurtured good relations with various stakeholders, especially the various elements of local governments where we operate, namely West Tanjung Jabung and East Tanjung Jabung Regencies,” he said.    

“Whenever there are misunderstandings, they can be resolved through good communication. In principle, we are always ready to work together to develop Jambi Province. We often meet with local government officials over coffee and discuss community development programs. If some programs stagnate, we deal with the problems according to procedures so that local potentials can be utilized optimally,” Rudy continued.

Act. Communications Manager Afdal said that good relations between the company and local governments were inseparable from continuous support from SKK Migas. “We always consult with SKK Migas, both in Jakarta and Southern Sumatra offices, about our programs. This way, the problems that we encounter can always be resolved effectively. The spirit to develop Jambi must surely be built upon good collaboration with various parties,” he said. Currently, the company is preparing 3D and 2D seismic survey in Jabung Working Area, expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 and will last for 15 months. Socialization of seismic survey in East Tanjung Jabung Regency began on 4 September 2023. In general, the 3D seismic survey will be carried out in a 121-sqkm area in Ketemu Prospects and a 71-sqkm area in Rukam Prospect, while the 2D survey will be carried out in several areas along a 250-km line in the eastern part of Jabung Working Area.

Furthermore, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in August 2023 about the construction of six-kilometer concrete road in Block D Geragai, East Tanjung Jabung Regency. PCJL also continues to distribute scholarships for poor students and high-achieving students in elementary school, middle school, high school and university in West Tanjung Jabung and East Tanjung Jabung Regencies. Between 2002 and 2023, PCJL has distributed over Rp 16 billion in scholarships for more than 7,000 students.

“PCJL also has batik MSME development program. Some of the beneficiaries include Batik Idola in Pemusiran Village, Nipah Panjang District, and Istana Batik Naima in Kota Baru Village, Geragai District, both in East Tanjung Jabung Regency. Thanks to PCJL, both MSMEs can develop their business. They have also participated in various exhibitions in Jambi and Jakarta,” Afdal explained.

In West Tanjung Jabung regency, PCJL develops several tourism areas such as Sukorejo Ecotourism based on Liberica coffee cultivation, Bina Lestari Pond which is used in forest fire prevention and also a popular family tourism spot, as well as Pangkal Babu Mangrove Area. PCJL works with local communities in developing the three programs.   

“In carrying out our community development programs, we respect local initiatives. We facilitate trainings for local communities in the hope of helping them becoming independent in developing their own potentials,” Field Manager Jabung Rudy said.

Afdal explained that PCJL saw the pond’s potentials as a tourism spot to build people’s disaster awareness. In developing the area, PCJL is focused on three things, namely education on the pond’s purposes, forest fire prevention and environmental awareness. Next is water conservation and biodiversity and lastly as a tourism spot to support local village’s economic growth.

“Our program uses existing things. In the beginning it was for forest fire prevention but we also tried to add more value, which can provide extra income for locals through tourism development,” Afdal said.

Between 2002 and August 2023, PCJL has distributed a total of Rp 310 billion in CSR funding for infrastructure, economic development, environmental, health, education, indigenous community development and disaster relief programs.

The company has also contributed to local development through oil and gas revenue sharing (DBH Migas). In 2023, revenue sharing reached Rp 67,521,460,000 for East Tanjung Jabung and Rp 248,195,883,000 for West Tanjung Jabung. The Jabung Working Area has also created over 50,000 job opportunities, especially for Jambi people.


Mohammad Iman Mahditama December 4, 2023
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