The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) was invited to participate in the 47^th IPA Convex held from July 25 to 27, 2023. This year, the event’s theme was “Enabling Oil & Gas Investment and Energy Transition for Energy Security.” The event encompassed various sub-events, including a Plenary Session, Technical Sessions, Energy Cultural Night, Business Meetings, and an exhibition booth.

The IPA Convex brought together a multitude of stakeholders, including policymakers, global energy leaders, and industry professionals, for engaging panel discussions and informative technical presentations. The exhibition featured the participation of over a hundred industry players dedicated to supporting the energy industry’s growth for enhanced national and global energy resilience. ACE’s participation in the IPA Convex was made possible through the support and sponsorship of the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project Phase II (ACCEPT II).  During the event, ACE delegates participated in the Plenary Session, Special Technical Session, and Exhibition.

Photo 1. Dr. Nuki Agya Utama gave a presentation

Plenary Session

On the first day of the event, Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, the Executive Director of ACE, joined the plenary discussion as a key panellist on “Maximise Oil and Gas’ Role for Economic Growth in Energy Transition Era”. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Ir. Satya Widya Yudha MSc., PhD from Indonesian National Energy Council, along with other panelists, namely Prof. Ir. Tutuka Ariadji, M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU, the Director-General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, Mr. Dwi Soetjipto, the Head of Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities of Indonesia (SKK Migas), Ms. Andriah Feby Misna, Director of Various New and Renewable Energy Indonesia, and  Ms. Carole J. Gall, President of ExxonMobil Indonesia.

Dr Nuki delivered a presentation on “ASEAN Energy Landscape and Its Pathways: Where are Oil and Gas?” – taking the key findings from the 7^th ASEAN Energy Outlook. The presentation highlighted the energy consumption trends within ASEAN and underscored the critical role of oil and gas in the energy transition era. The presentation also conveyed the projection that ASEAN is expected to transition into a net importer of natural gas by 2025. Dr. Nuki emphasised that Oil and Gas will keep playing a key role in driving the economic growth of ASEAN and provided several strategic policies to reach the goals of both energy security and climate change mitigation, such as building new LNG facilities to expand natural gas import capacity, implementing CCUS projects in mature/inactive oil and gas fields, and start developing hydrogen economy in the region.

The presentation was closed by giving several recommendations to promote energy security in the energy transition era.  This includes strengthening energy efficiency measures, promoting carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen technology, and diversifying the energy supply. Nevertheless, regional cooperation on trade and stockpiling of oil and gas was also recognised as a crucial path forward. Dr. Nuki’s message aligns with the Indonesia Oil and Gas Strategy, which aims to increase natural gas production to 12 BSCFD by 2032, intending to boost the economy and decrease reliance on energy imports. The Indonesian government also emphasises carbon capture and storage/utilisation (CCS/CCUS) technology through Regulation of ESDM Minister No. 2 of 2023 and integration with upstream oil and gas activities as part of their decarbonisation efforts.

Photo 2. Dr. Nuki Agya Utama during the plenary session.

Special Technical Session

On the second day of the event, two ACE delegates, Mr. Muhammad Shidiq, Senior Research Analyst and Mr. Adhityo Gilang Bhaskoro, Research Analyst, presented their papers during the technical session.

Mr. Muhammad Shidiq delivered a presentation titled “Hydrogen and CCS Policies in ASEAN for Supporting Emission Reduction in the Oil & Gas Industry.” The presentation delved into the advancement of hydrogen within ASEAN, addressing its economic aspects, which were quantified through the calculation of the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE). Moreover, the presentation extensively covered the progress of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) implementation in the ASEAN region. At the end of the presentation, several aspects were emphasised to accelerate the development of hydrogen and CCS, including developing a roadmap and strategy to unlock the potential of hydrogen and CCS in ASEAN and establishing a clear regulatory framework policy for hydrogen and CCS.

Mr. Adhityo Gilang Bhaskoro presented a topic titled “Dynamics of the Oil and Gas Industry in ASEAN.” The presentation covered updates within the oil and gas sector in ASEAN and provided insights into future energy outlooks. Detailed explanations were given regarding oil and gas reserves, production, as well as crude oil and gas trading. The presentation concluded by offering several recommendations, including the promotion of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and the cultivation of technology adoption and innovation. A recommendation on implementing investor-friendly policies and regulations was also highlighted, such as simplifying licensing procedures, ensuring consistency in the application of rules and regulations across the region, and integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into the regulatory framework.

Photo 3. ACE delegates’ presentations at the IPA special technical session.

Special Technical Session

ACE Booth at Exhibition

From the first day until the third day of the 47th IPA Convex, ACE established a booth at the exhibition venue. The booth showcased the ASEAN Centre for Energy’s role as the official ASEAN think tank, catalyst and energy hub organisation as well as the ongoing project of the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project Phase II (ACCEPT II). Additionally, the booth also provided information on various ASEAN Energy topics, including ASEAN Power Grid, Trans ASEAN gas Pipeline, energy-climate nexus, and others from ACE’s publications. The ACE booth attracted a diverse range of visitors, including practitioners, both national and international industry professionals, and students.

On the second day, a presentation on Oil and Gas Updates 2023 was conducted at the booth as the soft launching of “ASEAN Oil and Gas Updates 2023”. The presentation was led by ACE’s Research Analyst, Mr. Adhityo Gilang Bhaskoro and Energy Statistician and Data Visualisation Officer,  Ms. Silvira Ayu Rosalia, as the main authors of the report. This presentation highlighted the oil and gas trends up until the year 2022 and provided insights into the future energy outlook for oil and gas. Moreover, the presentation pointed out that the majority of ASEAN countries are net oil importers, with 93% of their imports originating from outside the region. Additionally, the presentation acknowledged several notable investments within ASEAN pertaining to the oil and gas industry. Notable examples include the offshore CCS project at the Petronas Kasawari Fields in Sarawak and the methane emissions management that involves Petronas Malaysia, Pertamina Indonesia, and PTT Thailand. The presentation drew a considerable audience, including university students and industry professionals.

/>Photo 4. The report of Oil and Gas Updates 2023 was presented at ACE’s booth.

For more information on ACCEPT II’s reportage in the 47th IPA, please visit ACCEPT website.