My Commitment, Post Study Plan and Contribution Plan for Indonesia:

Enhancing Petroleum Exploration in Eastern Indonesia through Hydrocarbon Seepage

Detection and Remote Sensing

Have we, the citizens of Indonesia imagined if our country will run out of petroleum resources in
the near time? Some experts said that the future crisis of petroleum energy in Indonesia is in
front of our eyes. In this essay, I will mainly discuss the high operational costs of seismic
surveys as the fundamental driver behind the lack of exploration data in Eastern Indonesia.
Then, R&D in hydrocarbon seepage detection using remote sensing will be the solution to
reduce the cost of the seismic survey. Finally, I will review my contribution plan to boost
Indonesia’s petroleum exploration in Eastern Indonesia and my dreams for Indonesia in the
future.

I am Imran Amin (25), Lombok Timur, who has the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s
degree in Geology from the University Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia. Since my undergraduate, I
have been interested in petroleum exploration. Most of the time, I was involved with students
organization related to the petroleum industry. For instance, I got selected as one of the student
volunteers at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Association of Geologists (IAGI).
I have the opportunity to be the moderator in the Petroleum Geosciences research seminar and
presentation. After the presentation, I got the access to various latest research papers in the field
of petroleum exploration and I realized the importance of continuous R&D in this field for
Indonesia. This is the beginning of my motivation to learn more about research in the field of oil
and gas exploration.

In addition, I am well experienced in the field of remote sensing and GIS for natural
disaster assessment. I completed my final year project (thesis) on earthquake hazard mapping
study using the GIS method. Then, I have experience as a research assistant at NDRC (Natural
Disaster Research Centre) UMS and as an intern geologist at GeoMag Engineering. My job
responsibilities included being involved in spatial data processing and 3D modeling for natural
hazards mapping. Therefore, through my passion for petroleum exploration, and technical
experience in remote sensing, I am fully committed to pursuing my career as a petroleum
geologist. Then as a future petroleum geologist, I am fully committed to enhancing petroleum
exploration in Eastern Indonesia through hydrocarbon seepage detection and remote sensing.
 According to experts, Indonesia’s petroleum reserves will be insufficient to meet the
domestic demand in the future. In 2020, The ESDM mentioned that the oil reserves will be only
enough for the next 9.5 years, and proven natural gas reserves would be available for the next 20
[1]
years only . If this situation keeps running without further exploration, then Indonesia may
encounter a hydrocarbon crisis in the future. To tackle this issue, the government has urged
massive exploration to find more petroleum reserves, particularly in the unexplored area in
Eastern Indonesia. In recent years, the epicenter of oil and gas exploration has changed from the
Western to the Eastern of Indonesia. Petroleum prospectivity in this area remains promising and
full of potential.

However, exploration in Eastern Indonesia is still lacking compared to the Western area.
One of the factors causing the lack of exploration in Eastern Indonesia is the limited availability
of seismic data. From the track record since 2001 until 2017, seismic survey activities in the
Eastern are still fewer than in the Western. 2D seismic survey already covered 2.32 billion km in
the Western area while Eastern Indonesia only covered 1.14 billion km (SKK Migas, 2018)[2].
Conducting a seismic survey in Eastern Indonesia requires an extensive amount of investment. In
the Eastern area, most of the basins are deep-water while in the Western areas are shallow-water.
The expenditure of a single seismic survey in deep-water is much more expensive than shallow
water. For example, a 3D seismic survey in shallow-water could cost $10,000/km2 while in
deep-water could reach approximately $40,000/km2 or four times higher (Jahn et al. 2008)[3].
Therefore, as the solution to reduce the cost of seismic surveys, the application of alternative
technology and method could be the key.

The utilization of an alternative technology may improve the efficiency of petroleum

exploration, particularly in cutting the price of the seismic survey. Hydrocarbon seepage
detection is one of the cost-saving methods to most exploration programs, especially in
conducting a seismic survey in frontier deep-water. Using remote sensing technology such as
satellites, oil companies can capture high-resolution images and locate hydrocarbon seepages at
shallow-water and deep-water basins. Then, geologists are able to cut the size of the seismic
target from those hydrocarbon seepage images. By reducing the size of the seismic target, it
could reduce the cost of a seismic survey.
 FUGRO, a Dutch geo-data company has utilized LiDAR satellites in their hydrocarbon
seeps hunting projects to optimize future exploration at Malaysia frontier area in 2019[4] and
Suriname deep-water in 2021[5]. Besides, CGG, a French geosciences firm has used SAR
satellite images to complete a hydrocarbon seeps study over the northern Barents Sea for the
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate in 2021[6]. Therefore, the detection of hydrocarbon seepage
combined with remote sensing and seismic technology could be one of the alternative options to
reduce exploration costs in Eastern Indonesia.

In Indonesia, LEMIGAS has been involved continuously with several R&D in

hydrocarbon seepage detection and remote sensing. In 2020, LEMIGAS conducted a
[7]
hydrocarbon micro-seepage mapping using multispectral satellites imagery . However, the
application of hydrocarbon seepage detection with satellites is still rare in Indonesia, especially
for exploration purposes. Therefore, LEMIGAS has considered sustainable R&D in hydrocarbon
seepage detection using remote sensing is essential.

In line with the R&D program from LEMIGAS in hydrocarbon seepage detection, I
believe that there is a golden opportunity for me to broaden my career as a petroleum geologist
and get involved with this program. However, the competencies that I obtained from my
undergraduate are not enough to be part of this program. Knowledge and skills in the seismic
survey, satellite images processing, and hydrocarbon seep detection are required. It was at this
moment I realized that I needed to enhance my understanding and skills through machine
learning. By machine learning, I can learn how to detect hydrocarbon seepage using remote
sensing satellites and later combine it with seismic data. In addition, to advance, it needs
connections with the relevant experts. Nevertheless, it is rare in Indonesia.

Pursuing a relevant master's degree surely will be the right platform to deepen my
knowledge and skills. Studying abroad at a university that provides research topics in
hydrocarbon seepage detection is one of the ways. I have done some studies, resulting in two
universities in the UK and one university in the USA. The University of Manchester has Dr.
Mads Huuse, who is a seismic interpretation expert and has published some research in
[8] & [9]
hydrocarbon seepage and seismic studies . Then, the Institute of Applied Geosciences by
[10]
the University of Leeds , with Dr. Emma Bramham with her expertise in remote sensing
[11] [12]
satellites and Dr. Fiona Gill in hydrocarbon seeps . Finally, the University of California
Santa Barbara with the Holly Seep Acoustic Observatory Platform on hydrocarbon seeps
[13]
projects . Studying in one of those universities will allow me to obtain research experiences
and learn strategies to combine hydrocarbon seepage detection and remote sensing with seismic
data. After I finish my studies, I will return to Indonesia.

As I return, I expect to join the Exploration Division in LEMIGAS as a petroleum

geologist. Here, I will serve Indonesia mainly in R&D and remote sensing training. In R&D, I
want to create a special research group in hydrocarbon seepage detection and remote sensing.
Through this group, I will collect sufficient hydrocarbon seepage data from the basins,
particularly basins in Eastern Indonesia. After collecting enough data, I want to create a database
known as “Indonesia Seepage Digital Map”, a digital platform that can review the distribution of
petroleum seepage in Indonesia and store all of the datasets. Then, under the agreement from the
government, this data is accessible for oil companies who wish to run future petroleum
exploration in Eastern Indonesia. In addition, I also want to foster innovation from the young
generations in petroleum exploration sectors through remote sensing. Therefore, I want to
accommodate them with training in remote sensing and its application in hydrocarbon
exploration.

With the contribution that I will make in the future, I am very confident about the bright
future of petroleum exploration in Eastern Indonesia. After graduation, my dream in the next
three years is that I hope R&D in hydrocarbon seepage detection will be among the top priorities
by all petroleum research institutions and universities in Indonesia. For the next five years, I
hope that many oil companies in Indonesia will be using hydrocarbon seepage detection widely
and later combine with remote sensing and seismic surveys. Then, with this combination, I hope
that there will be more low-cost seismic surveys conducted in Eastern Indonesia so that this area
will have sufficient exploration data and can be an offer to potential investors for future
exploration projects. In addition, in the next ten years, I hope that Indonesia will have it is own
world-class hydrocarbon seepage detection facility in the future. With this facility, Indonesia will
no longer need to use the facility from other countries. Instead, Indonesia may offer services in
hydrocarbon seepage detection for other countries. Strong co-operation between universities,
research institutions, and oil companies is compulsory for achieving such a dream.
 To support my objectives, collaboration with an institution that can provide me with the
support of scholarships is necessary. LPDP as the frontliner that always supports the young
generation to innovate in the energy sector will be the bridge for me to achieve my dream to be a
petroleum geologist and my contribution plan for the petroleum exploration industry in
Indonesia. With my experience, motivation, and plan, I am the type of candidate that LPDP is
looking for. I am READY to give my best for Indonesia’s petroleum exploration industry with
LPDP.

Young generations like me must be proactive with the government to improve Indonesia’s
petroleum exploration industry. Therefore, I am determined to become a petroleum geologist. I
want to enhance the petroleum exploration industry in Indonesia, particularly in Eastern
Indonesia. My dream is to see continuous petroleum exploration in Eastern Indonesia. I believe
with R&D in hydrocarbon seepage detection and remote sensing, I will be able to reduce the cost
of seismic surveys in Eastern Indonesia. Then, I hope there will be more petroleum exploration
activities in Eastern Indonesia. In addition, I hope that I can assist the young generation to
innovate more in petroleum exploration industry. Studying abroad will assist me in achieving
such roles and reaching the point of contribution for Indonesia.
 REFERENCES

1. Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM) (2020). Oil and Gas statistic 2020
2. Satuan Kerja Khusus Pelaksana Kegiatan Usaha Hulu Minyak dan Gas Bumi (SKK Migas) (2018).
Kawasan Timur Indonesia:Destinasi Eksplorasi Masa Depan
3. Jahn, F., Cook, M., & Graham, M. (2009). Hydrocarbon Exploration & Production. Elsevier.

4. Fugro (2021). Fugro Conducts SEEP Survey and Geochemical Campaign for Petronas Suriname E&P
B.V.https://www.fugro.com/media-centre/news/fulldetails/2021/03/10/fugro-conducts-seep-survey-and-
geochemical-campaign-for-petronas-suriname-e-p-b.v

5. Fugro (2021). Fugro Seep Hunting Success Offshore Malaysia. https://www.fugro.com/media-

centre/news/fulldetails/2019/06/14/fugro-seep-hunting-success-offshore-malaysia

6. CGG. (2021). CGG Satellite Mapping Completes Barents Sea Seeps Study for Norwegian
PetroleumDirectorate.https://www.cgg.com/newsroom/news/cgg-satellite-mapping-completes-
barents-sea-seeps-study-norwegian-petroleum

7. Lembaga Minyak dan Gas Bumi (LEMIGAS) (2020). Rekayasa Alat Pencitraan Multispektral Untuk
Pemetaan Sebaran Microseepage Dan Litologi Permukaan

8. Serie, Christophe & Huuse, Mads & Schødt, Niels & Brooks, James & Williams, Alan. (2015). Subsurface
fluid flow in the deep-water Kwanza Basin, offshore Angola. Basin Research. 29. n/a-n/a.
10.1111/bre.12169.

9. Cope, N.R.G. & Huuse, Mads. (2014). Geohazards and Fluid Seepage Assessment On The Mad Dog Field
Using Bathymetry Ultra-high-resolution Seismic And Satellite Seepage Slick Data. 2. 10.4043/25198-
MS.

10. https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/institute-applied-geoscience

11. https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/1174/dr-emma-bramham

12. https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/1280/dr-fiona-gill

13. UCSB A Platform Holly Seep Observatory. Marine Science Institutehttps://msi.ucsb.edu/research/current-

projects/platform-holly-seep-acoustic-observatory & UCSB Hydrocarbon Seeps Project.
http://seeps.geol.ucsb.edu/