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EOR Laboratory ITB Internship Program

As part of its ongoing commitment to human resource development and the strengthening of the energy research ecosystem, the Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Laboratory of ITB officially launched the Lab EOR ITB Internship Program for the first time. This internship program is designed as an integrated learning platform that bridges the academic world with real-world practices in a professional research laboratory.

This program is attended by four selected students from the Petroleum Engineering Study Program of UPN Veteran Yogyakarta, who successfully passed a competitive selection process. The implementation of this program is expected to serve as a strategic initial step in developing future energy researchers and practitioners who are competent, adaptive, and possess strong integrity.

Figure 1. Opening session of the Lab EOR ITB Internship Program , which began with participant introductions, program briefing, and the explanation of laboratory rules and regulations.

Background and Objectives of the Program

The energy industry, particularly the upstream oil and gas sector and Enhanced Oil Recovery technology, requires human resources who are not only strong in theoretical knowledge but also skilled in practical applications. Recognizing this need, Lab EOR ITB presents this internship program with several main objectives, including:

  1. Equipping students with real work experience and testing activities in the EOR laboratory,
  2. Providing opportunities to be directly involved in research- and experiment-based hands-on projects berbasis riset dan eksperimen,
  3. Training and developing students’ soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solvingand professional ethics,
  4. Strengthening fundamental concepts in petroleum engineering and Chemical EOR through an applicative approach.

Through this program, students not only learn how it works, but also why it matters in the context of research and industry.

Figure 2. Lab EOR ITB Internship participants observing laboratory instrument operations and learning directly through hands-on practice at the workbench.

Part of Community Service and Social Contribution

More than just an academic program, the Lab EOR ITB Internship Program represents a tangible form of Lab EOR ITB’s concern for the community. This program is part of the Community Serviceinitiative, in which the laboratory not only focuses on research projects and industry collaboration, but also on community service through education and the development of young talents.

In this context, Lab EOR ITB opens access to inclusive, structured, and high-quality learning for students as a concrete contribution to strengthening the national research ecosystem.

Figure 3. Lab EOR ITB Internship participants attentively listening to and taking notes during explanations of laboratory research activities.

Competitive and Transparent Selection Process

The enthusiasm for this program is reflected in the high number of applicants. In this inaugural batch: batch perdana ini:

  • 80 Petroleum Engineering students registered at the initial stage,
  • Through administrative selection, the applicants were narrowed down to 10 top students,
  • The final stage was conducted through a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) process to assess critical thinking skills, communication abilities, and readiness to collaborate.

All participants in this inaugural program came from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional (UPN) Veteran Yogyakarta. From the entire selection process, four students were ultimately selected as those most aligned with the objectives and needs of the program.

This selection process was designed to ensure that participants are not only academically excellent, but also possess strong motivation, work ethics, and growth potential.

Figure 4. Lab EOR ITB Internship participants directly observing the use of laboratory equipment and samples.

Collaboration and Contributions with OGRINDO ITB

Although this program was initiated by Lab EOR ITB, the implementation of the internship is also supported by contributions from a broader research ecosystem, including OGRINDO ITB. This program reflects the synergy between academic laboratories and applied research groups in supporting student capacity development.

This contribution aligns with OGRINDO ITB’s vision of promoting impactful research, strengthening human resource competencies, and ensuring the sustainable development of energy technologies in Indonesia.

Expectations and Long-Term Impact

Through the Lab EOR ITB Internship Program, it is expected that participants will gain valuable experiences that serve as important provisions for their academic and professional journeys. On the other hand, this program is also expected to become a foundation for the implementation of sustainable and increasingly inclusive internship programs in the future.

Going forward, Lab EOR ITB opens opportunities to accept students from various universities across Indonesia, in order to expand the program’s impact and strengthen national academic collaboration networks. This initiative aligns with the spirit of community service and the development of young talents in the energy sector.

Lab EOR ITB believes that the best investment for the future of energy lies in human development. This Internship Program marks the first step in that long journey.

Figure 6. A vibrant laboratory atmosphere—EOR ITB internship students engaging in discussions, conducting experiments, and learning together throughout the internship program.

Information and Collaboration Opportunities

Lab EOR ITB invites students, academics, and industry partners to stay engaged with the development of the Lab EOR ITB Internship Program and various other research initiatives. For educational institutions or organizations interested in collaboration, opening internship opportunities, or exploring research and community service partnerships, we are open to further discussion.


For more information, please contact:
šŸ“§ OGRINDO ITB: info@ogrindoitb.com
šŸ“§ Lab EOR ITB: labifteoritb@gmail.com
Let us work together to contribute to the development of young talents and the advancement of national energy research

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Hands-on Laboratory Training on Chemical EOR at Lab EOR ITB: Bridging Knowledge, Industry, and Innovation

On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Enhanced Oil Recovery Laboratory of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), in collaboration with Oil and Gas Recovery for Indonesia (OGRINDO) ITB, successfully conducted the Hands-on Laboratory Training Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (CEOR). This event served as an important platform for industry professionals and academics to gain a deeper understanding of Chemical EOR metode through direct laboratory practice.

The main activities in this Hands-on Laboratory Training Chemical EOR were Screening Polymer and Surfactant Formulation, carried out intensively at the EOR Laboratory ITB. Participants not only learned the theoretical foundations but also conducted a series of comprehensive laboratory tests to evaluate the performance of chemical EOR under various reservoir conditions.

Figure 1. Training participants listening to the instructor’s explanation of Chemical EOR at Lab EOR ITB

Training Details

  1. Screening Polymer

In this session, participants conducted several key tests to assess polymer performance, including:

  • Fluid–Fluid Compatibility Test: viscosity measurement, polymer–water compatibility, filtration ratio, screen factor, and thermal stability test
  • Rock–Fluid Compatibility Test: static adsorption test, dynamic adsorption test and IPV, as well as injectivity test (RF and RRF)
  • Coreflood Test: the test of tertiary oil recovery to evaluate the potential improvement of oil recovery
Figure 2. Surfactant testing session: participants engaged in an interactive discussion with the instructor on laboratory testing methods

2. Surfactant Formulation Lab Test

This session focused on surfactant formulation under various laboratory conditions, including:

  • Fluid–Fluid Compatibility Test: uji kompatibilitas surfaktan dengan air, IFT test, phase behavior test, IFT thermal stability test, and filtration test
  • Rock–Fluid Compatibility Test: wettability test, static adsorption test, dynamic adsorption testoil field revitalization, and capillary desaturation curves (CDC) test
  • Coreflood Test: the test of tertiary oil recovery test to evaluate the effectiveness of surfactants in mobilizing residual oil.
Figure 3. Laboratory practice session: participants conducting direct fluid–rock compatibility testing

Through this series of tests, participants gained hands-on experience in CEOR laboratory evaluations using methods applied globally in the oil and gas industry. This further strengthens the position of Lab EOR ITB as a research and training center equipped with facilities and expertise capable of addressing the real needs of Indonesia’s petroleum industry.

Training Participants

This training was attended by professionals from various national oil and gas companies, namely:

  • Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) – including PHE OSES, PHE ONWJ, and PHE SHU SDRE
  • Pertamina EP (PEP) – including PEP Zone 7
  • Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM)
  • Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR)
  • Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI)
Figure 4. Group photo of Hands-on Laboratory Training Chemical EOR participants at Lab EOR ITB.
Figure 5. Chemical EOR training participants at the Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, ITB.

Impact and Benefits

Through this hands-on experience, participants not only enhanced their technical skills, but also gained strategic insights to support increased recovery factor and the sustainability of Indonesia’s energy sector.

With complete laboratory facilities and the support of experienced experts, Lab EOR ITB together with OGRINDO are ready to become strategic partners for the oil and gas industry in developing and implementing Enhanced Oil Recovery in Indonesia.

This training is a tangible form of collaboration between OGRINDO ITB and Lab EOR ITB in strengthening human resource capacity in the oil and gas sector. It provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of Chemical EORimplementation, from laboratory scale to field applications.

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OGRINDO ITB Research Breakthrough: Combination of Surfactant & Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles, Enhances Oil Recovery in Sandstone Reservoir

Innovation in technology Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) continues to evolve to address production challenges in mature oil fields. One of the current approaches gaining attention from researchers is the utilization of titanium dioxide (TiOā‚‚) nanoparticles to improve surfactant performance in oil recovery processes, particularly in sandstone.

A research team from OGRINDO ITB recently published their latest research findings in a scientific article titled:
“Enhancement of Surfactant Performance via Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: Implication for Oil Recovery in Sandstone.”

🌟 What Makes This Research Special?

Surfactant alkyl ethoxy carboxylate (AEC) surfactant is one of the chemical agents commonly used in EOR methods. However, the OGRINDO team went further by exploring how the addition of TiOā‚‚ nanoparticles to AEC could drastically alter the system’s performance. Comprehensive testing was conducted, covering:

  • Interfacial tension
  • Contact angle
  • Zeta potential
  • Coreflooding test

State of the Art

The latest innovation in this research is the evaluation of AEC surfactant performance by adding TiOā‚‚ nanoparticles within a concentration range of 0%–0.05% w/w.

The addition of 0.05% w/w TiOā‚‚ nanoparticles to 1.25% w/w AEC surfactant was able to reduce interfacial tension to a value of 5.85 Ɨ 10⁻⁵ mN/m. This excellent performance was also confirmed in the coreflooding,, where oil recovery increased to a maximum value of 59.52%.

This finding highlights the importance of TiOā‚‚ nanoparticle stability in surfactant solutions, which turns out to be the key factor in enhancing oil recovery efficiency.

Figure 1: Contact angles of all tested solutions on the Berea sandstone thin section. Error bars represent the standard deviation of the measurements
Figure 2: Effect of TiOā‚‚ nanoparticle addition to AEC surfactant on interfacial tension (adapted from Megayanti et al. (2023))

Why Is This Important?

This research provides valuable new insights into the development of surfactant- and nanoparticle-based EOR methods. With this approach, it is expected to open new opportunities for improving oil recovery efficiency from sandstone reservoir — especially in fields that have experienced production decline.

This discovery also strengthens OGRINDO’s position as a leading EOR research center in Indonesia, focusing on the development of environmentally friendly, sustainable technologies tailored to national industry needs.

šŸ“š Read the full journal here

🌐 Explore More of Our Flagship Research

Visit the complete list of OGRINDO ITB scientific publications to explore our breakthroughs in Enhanced Oil Recovery, COā‚‚, hydrogen, and other energy transition technologies: šŸ‘‰ OGRINDO ITB Scientific Publications

Through research, collaboration, and innovation, OGRINDO ITB is committed to being at the forefront of supporting national and global energy transformation.

Let’s create a smarter and more sustainable energy future — together with OGRINDO.

šŸ™ Acknowledgement

The researchers express their gratitude to Oil and Gas Recovery for Indonesia (OGRINDO) ITB and the Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) ITB for access to the experimental equipment used in this study.

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Surfactant EOR: An Efficient Solution for Optimizing Oil and Gas Production

In the oil and gas industry, understanding the fundamental concepts of surfactants is key to developing technologies that are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly and economically viable. Surfactants are far more than ordinary chemical compounds—they play a strategic role in various applications, particularly in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR).

Surfactant is surface active agent—a chemical compound capable of reducing surface tension between two phases: water and oil. A surfactant molecule consists of two main parts:
• A hydrophilic ā€œheadā€ (attracted to the water phase)
• A hydrophobic ā€œtailā€ (attracted to the oil phase)

This structure allows surfactants to function as interfacial tension reducers between oil and water, microemulsion formers (emulsifiers), and wetting agents.

Mechanism of Surfactant for Optimal Oil Recovery
Effects of surfactant application on reservoir rocks

Why Choosing the Right Surfactant Matters
There is no one-size-fits-all surfactant for every reservoir. Selection must be tailor-made to match the specific conditions of each reservoir. Factors such as salinity, temperature, rock type, and crude oil characteristics significantly influence surfactant performance in enhancing oil recovery. Therefore, choosing and formulating the right surfactant is critical to optimizing production and reducing operational costs.

OGRINDO and Surfactant Research
As a company rooted in petroleum engineering expertise, OGRINDO (Oil and Gas Recovery for Indonesia) has in-depth competence in the research, development, and application of surfactant technology in the energy sector. We are committed to delivering science-based solutions that are lab-proven and field-tested. Our focus lies in creating efficient, environmentally friendly solutions—including the development of locally sourced surfactants that support Indonesia’s energy independence.