During the 3rd International & Indonesia Carbon Capture and Storage (IICCS) Forum in Jakarta, the Indonesia CCS Center (ICCSC) revealed that the country now has 19 CCS/CCUS projects spread across the archipelago — from Sabang to Merauke. Indonesia is stepping into a critical phase of its energy transition. To curb global warming and achieve net-zero goals, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) has become one of the nation’s most strategic climate technologies. These projects are not only focused on capturing and storing CO₂ but also on enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to boost oil and gas production efficiency. Lestari Kompas
What CCS and CCUS Actually Are
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) refers to the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from emission sources, transporting it, and storing it deep underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.
When the captured CO₂ is reused — for example, in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) — the process becomes CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage).
Two main geological formations are being used in Indonesia:
- Depleted oil and gas reservoirs — old wells that no longer produce hydrocarbons.
- Saline aquifers — deep underground layers of saltwater that can safely store CO₂ for centuries.
Key CCS and CCUS Projects Across Indonesia
| Project | Location | Operator | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangguh CCUS (Ubadari Field) | West Papua | BP | Indonesia’s CCUS pioneer, targeted for full operation by 2026. |
| Abadi CCS (Masela Block, Arafura Sea) | Arafura Sea | Inpex & Pertamina | Expected to become one of Southeast Asia’s largest offshore CCS systems. |
| Sukowati CCS | East Java | Pertamina EP | Focused on domestic CO₂ utilization and local carbon management. |
| Sakakemang CCS | South Sumatra | Repsol | Major onshore CCS project with significant storage potential. |
| Asri Basin CCS Hub | West/South Java | Pertamina, ExxonMobil, partners | Designed as a multi-industry carbon storage cluster for western and southern Java. |
State-owned Pupuk Indonesia has also expressed plans to develop CCS to support blue ammonia production, reducing the carbon intensity of fertilizer manufacturing.
Gigaton Potential: Indonesia’s Carbon Storage Capacity
According to ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, Indonesia’s saline aquifers alone have a potential storage capacity of 80–200 gigatons of CO₂.
Meanwhile, depleted oil and gas reservoirs across Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and Papua offer additional capacity.
Developing these resources requires substantial investment. The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) estimates that up to US$2.4 trillion in total investment will be needed to deploy CCS/CCUS infrastructure nationwide by 2050.
Currently, 15–19 projects are in the study or early development stage, involving both domestic and international investors.
Regulatory Progress and Legal Framework
To strengthen investor confidence and ensure environmental safety, Indonesia has begun crafting a clearer legal and regulatory foundation for CCS and CCUS.
Existing and upcoming frameworks include:
- Ministerial Regulation No. 2/2023 (ESDM) — governing the capture, utilization, and storage of carbon within upstream oil and gas operations.
- Draft Presidential Regulation on CCS beyond oil and gas, currently under review, to enable broader cross-sector carbon management.
- Carbon allocation principle — 70% of storage capacity must serve domestic emissions, while up to 30% can accommodate cross-border CO₂ storage from foreign countries such as Japan, Korea, and Singapore.
Key challenges still in discussion:
- Complex multi-agency permitting processes.
- Cross-border CO₂ trade agreements between governments.
- Long-term environmental monitoring and liability management.
- High infrastructure costs and uncertain return on investment.
- Shortage of skilled professionals and technical expertise in carbon management.
Indonesia’s Strategic Edge: Becoming a Carbon Storage Hub
Indonesia’s unique geography and resource base make it a prime candidate for a regional CCS hub.
- The country’s vast sedimentary basins and existing oil & gas infrastructure allow cost-efficient deployment of carbon storage.
- Its proximity to carbon-intensive nations — Singapore, Japan, and South Korea — provides natural demand for carbon storage services.
- New regulatory support and international partnerships are attracting attention from energy companies and investors worldwide.
If successfully executed, CCS could not only support Indonesia’s domestic emission reduction goals, but also generate new economic opportunities through international carbon storage cooperation.
Why Public Awareness and Capacity Building Matter
CCS and CCUS are not quick fixes — they are part of a larger decarbonization portfolio alongside renewable energy, energy efficiency, and behavioral change.
For successful and responsible deployment, Indonesia needs:
- Public transparency on environmental and social impacts.
- Independent monitoring to ensure safety and accountability.
- Technical training to build a competent local workforce.
- Community involvement to maintain social license and trust.
Empowering the Future Workforce: Mutu Institute & Carbon Nature
Implementing 19 CCS projects requires more than technology — it demands skilled professionals, ethical governance, and strong community support.
That’s where Mutu Institute plays a role.
As one of Indonesia’s leading training and certification institutions, Mutu Institute provides professional courses in sustainability, environmental management, carbon certification, and ISO systems — including topics relevant to CCS and low-carbon industries.
Its training programs equip professionals, auditors, and policymakers with practical knowledge of:
- Environmental compliance and risk management
- Greenhouse gas verification
- Carbon accounting
- Sustainable project auditing
Alongside Mutu Institute, its affiliated NGO — Carbon Nature — focuses on environmental advocacy, education, and community engagement. Carbon Nature supports local initiatives related to carbon sequestration, reforestation, and sustainable development, helping ensure that Indonesia’s carbon projects deliver social as well as environmental value.
The Road Ahead
The momentum for CCS/CCUS in Indonesia is growing. With 19 projects planned, strong geological potential, and global partners ready to invest, the nation is well positioned to become Asia’s key carbon storage hub.
Yet success depends on collaboration — between government, industry, academia, and civil society. The energy transition must be just, transparent, and inclusive.
Eddy Soeparno, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), summarized it clearly:
“With clear regulations, investment incentives, and strong coordination, Indonesia can become a CCS hub in the Asia-Pacific while ensuring a fair energy transition that benefits society.”
Get Involved: Learn, Train, and Act
Want to be part of Indonesia’s carbon transition?
- Join professional training programs on sustainability, carbon management, and CCS/CCUS at Mutu Institute.
- Collaborate with Carbon Nature to support community-based environmental projects and carbon advocacy.
- Build your capacity to work in the future carbon economy — from carbon auditing to project design and environmental compliance.
