Their scientific presentation not only showcased academic innovation but also reflected strategic collaboration with an industry practitioner. The research was developed in close collaboration with Galih Cahyono, an ITB Petroleum Engineering alumnus who is currently working as a professional in the drilling industry.

The conference, organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), served as a forum for students, academics, and industry professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region to exchange knowledge on technological developments and innovations in drilling engineering.

At the conference, Ilham and Felix presented their work on strategies for converting conventional oil and gas wells into carbon dioxide (CO2) injection wells for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The research focused on establishing technical requirements to ensure the integrity of CCS injection wells, including well schematic design strategies, cement design, material selection for tubulars and seals, as well as corrosion analysis.

Two development strategies were evaluated based on the technical requirements for CCS injection wells and well barrier integrity. The novelty of the research lies in the CCS-Ready Well concept, in which a well is designed from the outset to accommodate two development phases: the production phase and the CO2 injection phase. This approach therefore covers the well development life cycle more comprehensively than conventional designs intended solely for either production or injection.

The technical evaluation was followed by an economic analysis of the CCS-Ready strategy, which showed that it would require only approximately 25–35% additional cost compared with a conventional production well. The CCS-Ready Well concept therefore has the potential to offer a more efficient, economical, and forward-looking approach to supporting future CO2 injection projects.

Their interest in the topic stems from their vision as Petroleum Engineering students to continue developing innovations that are relevant to industry needs. CCS technology is considered to have strategic potential in supporting carbon emission reduction efforts and the achievement of net-zero emission targets, both globally and nationally.

“Through our research entitled ‘Design and Conversion Strategies for Transitioning Conventional Wells into CCS Injection Wells: A Cost-Effective and Integrity-Focused CCS-Ready Approach,’ we sought to introduce a forward-looking approach. Rather than focusing solely on the production phase, we also considered the post-production life cycle of the well. Our focus was on how well infrastructure could be developed to support future carbon storage needs while continuing to prioritize safety, well integrity, and economic feasibility,” Ilham explained.

According to Ilham and Felix, the development of CCS technology in Indonesia requires not only technical innovation but also an ecosystem that enables the technology to be implemented in practice. Government support, they said, plays an important role in establishing adaptive regulations, encouraging research and development, and creating opportunities for collaboration among universities, industry, and relevant stakeholders.

“Going forward, we hope the government will continue to strengthen its support for CCS technology development, not only through regulations but also through research, pilot projects, and collaboration between academia and industry. With a supportive ecosystem, innovations developed at universities will have greater opportunities to be implemented under actual field conditions,” Felix said.

One of the challenges they faced while preparing the work was ensuring that every aspect of the scientific paper met conference standards in terms of structure, format, and substance. The process gave them valuable experience in understanding how technical ideas are structured and communicated in a professional forum involving participants from diverse backgrounds across the Asia-Pacific region.

Ilham and Felix said that participating in the conference further strengthened their belief that the drilling industry will continue to evolve alongside emerging technological innovations, both in operations and planning. In their view, the industry’s future transformation will be determined not only by technological advancement but also by the readiness of the national ecosystem to adopt and further develop these technologies.

For both students, presenting their work at a professional forum provided an opportunity to gain exposure to industry developments while gaining a better understanding of the future technological needs of the drilling sector. They hope the experience will serve as an initial step toward continuing to contribute to the development of technologies that support the sustainability of Indonesia’s oil and gas industry.

“To fellow students, keep innovating and creating. Start writing conference papers and gaining exposure to the professional world while you are still at university. At the same time, we also hope that more opportunities will be provided for students and academics to take part in the development of Indonesia’s strategic technologies, including CCS,” Ilham said.