Pertamina unit evacuates workers from Iraq, UAE amid geopolitical tensions

PT Pertamina Internasional Eksplorasi dan Produksi (PIEP), the overseas upstream arm of Indonesia’s state energy firm Pertamina, has relocated 19 personnel from the Middle East as geopolitical tensions escalated in the region, the company said on Thursday.

The company evacuated 11 workers stationed in Basra, Iraq, and eight personnel from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, prioritizing staff safety as security risks increased.

Awang Lazuardi, President Director of PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), PIEP’s parent company, said the evolving geopolitical situation had affected operations in Iraq.

“The dynamic geopolitical situation certainly affects our operations in Iraq. Thankfully, thanks to excellent coordination from PIEP, PHE, Pertamina, and the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Indonesian embassies in several countries, our colleagues were able to return home safely,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

The evacuation from Basra to Jakarta took around 14 days due to the temporary closure of several international airports, including those in Kuwait City, Dubai and Doha.

According to the company, personnel traveled by land from Basra to the Safwan border crossing before entering Kuwait and continuing to Dammam in Saudi Arabia. From there, they flew to Jeddah before returning to Indonesia.

Some workers arrived in Jakarta on March 10, while the remaining personnel arrived a day later.

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PIEP President Director Syamsu Yudha said the company had activated its emergency response procedures and implemented its business continuity plan while closely monitoring developments in the Middle East.

“We continue to monitor the situation in real time to ensure optimal protection for all personnel,” he said.

Pertamina’s local subsidiary in Iraq, Pertamina Irak Eksplorasi & Produksi (PIREP), activated its Emergency Response Team shortly after reports of attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, the company said.

PIEP said it also coordinated with Indonesian embassies in Baghdad, Kuwait City, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, as well as the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to monitor security developments and support the evacuation.

In addition to relocating workers, the company contacted employees’ families to provide updates and set up a 24-hour hotline to keep relatives informed.

PIREP manages Pertamina’s upstream operations in Iraq and holds a 20% participating interest in the West Qurna-1 oil field, about 50 km northwest of Basra, under a technical service contract that runs until 2045. The super-giant field is operated by PetroChina alongside partners including Basra Oil Company, Itochu and OEC.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak