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EOR ITB Laboratory Goes to Korea: Weaving Together Solidarity and New Innovation

In line with the spirit of OGRINDO (Oil and Gas Recovery for Indonesia) in strengthening research collaboration and national energy innovation, the EOR ITB Laboratory continues to foster synergy not only in research activities but also in team cohesion, which serves as the foundation of every step toward innovation.

Through the Lab EOR ITB Goes to Korea program held on September 10–15, 2025, the team had the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing atmosphere outside the laboratory—uniting enthusiasm, creativity, and togetherness in an inspiring journey across the Land of Ginseng.

A Journey Full of Inspiration

Figure 1. The Lab EOR ITB team ready to begin their journey to South Korea from Terminal 3 Ultimate, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, Jakarta.

The journey began with a departure from Terminal 3 Ultimate, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, to Incheon, with a transit in Kuala Lumpur. Upon arrival in Korea, the team was greeted by the beautiful scenery of Songdo Central Park, followed by a visit to Nami Island, an iconic filming location of the legendary drama Winter Sonata. The second day continued with visits to Eunpyeong Hanok Village and Gangnam COEX Mall, before finally checking in at the hotel for some rest.

Figure 2. Enjoying the scenic beauty of Songdo Central Park and the iconic atmosphere of Nami Island, the legendary filming site of Winter Sonata.
Figure 3. Strolling through Eunpyeong Hanok Village, a traditional area blending classic Korean architecture with a stunning mountain backdrop.

The third day was filled with cultural and historical exploration, starting from Gyeongbokgung Palace, passing by the Blue House and Gwanghwamun Square to see the statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, both significant historical figures. The team also visited Donuimun Museum Village, Itaewon Mosque, and enjoyed the city’s panoramic view from Namsan Seoul Tower.

Figure 4. Exploring Korean history and culture at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the grand royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty.

Next, on the fourth day, the group got to know more about Korean culture and lifestyle through visits to the National Ginseng Museum, K-Cosmetic Shop, and Amethyst Shop. The adventure continued to HIKR Ground, Insadong Antique Street, Trick Eye Museum, and Hongdae Youth Avenue, where the lively atmosphere of youth and creativity could be felt throughout.

The fifth day became a delightful moment with making kimbap and hanbok wearing, followed by shopping at the Duty Free Shop and Myeongdong Street, both known for their bustling charm. Before returning home, the team stopped by a local supermarketto buy souvenirs, then headed to Incheon Airport for the flight back to Jakarta.

Figure 5. A cheerful moment at Cheonggyecheon Stream, an iconic public space in the heart of Seoul filled with art and creativity.

Team Building: From the Laboratory to the Warmth of Togetherness

Although this trip did not focus on laboratory visits, the values of togetherness and teamwork became the heart of the entire journey. At every destination, team members shared stories, laughter, and new experiences that strengthened their bonds with one another.

This casually designed team building activity served as a moment of reflection for researchers and staff to get to know their colleagues beyond the professional context. From here, a sense of trust and unity flourished—something that will naturally carry over into the research environment.

Figure 6. Memorable moments from Lab EOR ITB Goes to Korea 2025—uniting spirit, creativity, and collaboration beyond the laboratory.

Bringing New Spirit Back to the Laboratory

Returning from Korea, the EOR ITB Laboratory brought home more than just wonderful memories. The journey became a source of renewed energy—reigniting motivation, collaborative spirit, and gratitude to continue contributing to sustainable energy research.

Innovation does not only grow within the laboratory but also from the people behind it: a solid, creative, and collaborative team. With this renewed spirit from the journey, Lab EOR ITB is ready to continue advancing together with OGRINDO, moving forward toward an innovative and sustainable energy future for Indonesia.

✨ Lab EOR ITB – Uniting Science, Innovation, and Togetherness for Indonesia’s Energy Future
📧 For information and research collaboration, contact: info@ogrindoitb.com

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Dr. Ir. Boni Swadesi, S.T., M.T., IPU: Building Synergy in EOR Research and Innovation with OGRINDO ITB

Dr. Ir. Boni Swadesi, S.T., M.T., IPU – Project Manager of OGRINDO ITB, who plays an active role in strengthening research and collaboration in the field of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR).

With more than two decades of experience in petroleum engineering, Dr. Ir. Boni Swadesi, S.T., M.T., IPU is one of the key figures behind the advancement of research and development of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technology in Indonesia. Currently, she serves as the Project Manager of OGRINDO ITB, coordinating various research projects and strategic collaborations between academia, industry, and research institutions to promote the sustainable application of EOR technology.

🧠 Educational and Scientific Background

Dr. Boni earned her Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta, the university where she now serves as a lecturer and also as the Head of the Petroleum Engineering Department. Her passion for research led her to continue her Master’s and Doctoral studies at the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), both in Petroleum Engineering.
Her research focuses on the integrated surfactant injection mechanism for light oil in sandstone reservoirs, as well as the development of 1D and 2D polymer injection models to evaluate the squeezing and sweeping mechanisms in the EOR process.

⚙️ Professional Contributions and Achievements

As both an academic and practitioner, Dr. Boni is actively involved in various leading research projects at EOR Lab ITB, LAPI ITB, and OGRINDO ITB. Some of the key projects she has led or coordinated include:

  • Field Trial Polymer Injection at the Tanjung Field – Pertamina EP, covering implementation, evaluation, and field monitoring.
  • Chemical EOR Optimization Study for Kaji Semoga Field (PT Medco E&P) and Kenali Asam and Tempino Fields (PT Pertamina EP).
  • Formulation and Development of Micromodel cEOR, a miniature technology for laboratory-scale chemical injection studies that has become one of ITB’s flagship research facilities.

As a productive researcher, Dr. Boni has contributed to numerous scientific publications in both national and international journals, discussing topics such as reservoir fluid behavior, reservoir mechanics, and the development of experimental and numerical models for chemical injection optimization.

Dr. Boni Swadesi presenting her study on surfactant characteristics for light oil in EOR applications in the era of renewable energy.

🤝 Strategic Role at OGRINDO ITB

In her capacity as Project Manager of OGRINDO ITB, Dr. Boni plays a vital role in strengthening OGRINDO’s position as a platform for national energy research and innovation collaboration. She ensures that every research effort does not stop at the laboratory stage but can be implemented in the field to enhance national energy productivity and efficiency.
In addition, Dr. Boni actively fosters strategic partnerships with oil and gas industries such as Pertamina Subholding Upstream and Medco E&P, while also promoting the integration of EOR research with the development technology of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).

🌱 Dedication to Education and Innovation

Amid her busy schedule, Dr. Boni remains committed to mentoring students and young researchers in reservoir engineering and chemical EOR. For her, the success of research is not only measured by technical outcomes but also by the ability to nurture a new generation of competent, ethical, and sustainability-minded energy engineers.

Dr. Boni Swadesi sharing her insights on EOR research and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration at academic and energy industry forums.

With a collaborative spirit and strong vision, Dr. Ir. Boni Swadesi, S.T., M.T., IPU stands as a true example that research and innovation can move hand in hand to support national energy independence and strengthen Indonesia’s position in the development of sustainable oil and gas technologies.