The spirit of innovation and academic excellence shone brightly at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (APOGCE) 2025, held on 14–16 October 2025 at Sheraton Grand Gandaria City Hotel, Jakarta. Hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in collaboration with Ikatan Ahli Teknik Perminyakan Indonesia (IATMI), the event brought together professionals, researchers, and students from across the region to exchange ideas and showcase advancements in the energy industry.

Among the many highlights of this year’s APOGCE was the SPE Asia Pacific Student Paper Contest 2025, where students from various universities across the region presented their research and competed for the chance to represent Asia Pacific at the SPE International Student Paper Contest 2026, which will be held at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) in Houston, Texas, USA.

SPE Java Section is proud to share that its student chapters achieved outstanding results at this year’s competition. As a reflection of the talent, perseverance, and technical excellence that continue to grow within the section’s academic community.

1st Place: Ibnu Hafiz Satria, S.T.

Alumni of SPE Student Chapter – Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)

Hafiz’s winning paper, “Integrated Approach for Rapid Reservoir Characterization Using Advanced Pickett Plot: A Case Study in P Formation, West Java,” introduces an integrated workflow for faster and more coordinated reservoir characterization across petrophysics, geology, and reservoir engineering disciplines.

The study also features a Python-based dashboard that allows users to visualize and analyze data interactively, providing a portable and efficient solution for evaluating reservoir performance even in the absence of core validation.

The paper originated fromHafiz’s undergraduate thesis at ITB, under the guidance of Dr. Dedy Irawan, S.T., M.T., Head of the Undergraduate Petroleum Engineering Program. Balancing his thesis work with preparations to join PETRONAS, Hafiz completed the research in just two months.

“At first, I didn’t set high expectations, knowing that previous winners were exceptional researchers. But with confidence, persistence, and continuous support from my supervisor, I kept going,” Hafiz shared.

“This achievement reaffirmed that beyond leadership, my technical capability is equally strong. It’s not always about high novelty, but about solving practical problems that matter.”

His paper not only brought home the top prize but also earned him the honor of representing the Asia Pacific region at ATCE 2026 in Houston.

2nd Place: Shahar Banun bin Yahya, S.T.

Alumni of SPE Student Chapter – Pertamina University

Shahar’s paper, “Optimization of WAG-CO2 Injection in a Dead Oil Reservoir Using MRST,” explored a unique approach to reservoir simulation using MATLAB Reservoir Simulation Toolbox (MRST), an open-source tool developed in Norway that is still rarely applied in undergraduate research.

The idea began as a simple suggestion from her supervisor to try something unconventional and challenging. With little prior experience using MRST, Shahar embraced the opportunity to explore and innovate.

“At first, I just followed along without knowing much about the software,” she shared. “But my supervisors encouraged me to try something new, something that could distinguish my work. Eventually, I decided to accept the challenge.”

Her study evolved from a comparative simulation project into an optimization-based research focusing on improving WAG-CO2 injection performance. Working with MRST presented numerous technical hurdles, from convergence issues to stability errors, yet it became a rewarding learning process that strengthened her problem-solving and time management skills.

“Winning second place at the APOGCE 2025 Undergraduate Paper Contest truly felt surreal,” she said. “Two years ago, I dreamed of attending APOGCE but never imagined I’d compete there. Standing on stage as one of the winners, representing my university and my country, was such a proud and humbling moment.”

For Shahar, the recognition served as a reflection of perseverance and gratitude rather than an endpoint.

“Every late night and every line of code taught me something valuable. Recognition isn’t the goal, it’s the reminder that growth comes from the journey and the people who support you along the way.”

3rd Place: Reihan Mohammad Erizal, S.T.

Alumni of SPE Student Chapter – Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)

Reihan’s paper, “Pore Scale to Core Scale Study of Capillary Desaturation Curve Using a Microfluidic Approach,” examined fluid behavior across different scales using new technology available at ITB.

Motivated by his curiosity in reservoir engineering and guided by his adviser—whose dissertation at TUC Germany explored a similar topic—Reihan developed a study that combined technical depth with practical insight.

“I knew my understanding of reservoir engineering wasn’t enough, and this topic was my first step to change that,” he said. “It pushed me to grow and challenged me in ways I didn’t expect.”

Winning third place was a milestone that symbolized both hard work and the beginning of greater things ahead.

“Alhamdulillah, I’m deeply grateful for this accomplishment. Competing with international students was humbling and motivating. This win proved that I gave my best and that I’m ready for the next challenge.”

A Proud Moment for SPE Java

The achievements of Hafiz, Shahar, and Reihan stand as a proud reflection of SPE Java Section’s commitment to fostering technical excellence, leadership, and collaboration among its student members. These young professionals exemplify the values of innovation, persistence, and knowledge-sharing that define the SPE community.

Their success also highlights the continuous contribution of student chapters like SPE ITB and SPE Pertamina University, which remain at the forefront of nurturing future leaders in the energy industry.

As the Asia Pacific region advances toward a more dynamic and sustainable energy future, achievements like these reaffirm the importance of education, mentorship, and global collaboration.

SPE Java Section extends its heartfelt congratulations to all winners and wishes them continued success as they bring their ideas and passion to the global stage in Houston next year.

Author: Anisa Widiasari