Chevron's relationship with Indonesia can be traced back more than 80 years.
In 1924, we took our first significant step in Asian exploration and production in Indonesia. Standard Oil Co. of California (Socal), which later became Chevron, dispatched a geological expedition to the island of Sumatra. In 1936, the as-yet unproductive holdings became part of N.V. Nederlandsche Pacific Petroleum (later, CPI), a joint venture between The Texas Co. (later, Texaco) and Socal.
Five years later, we drilled into the formation that would become the Duri Field. Steamflood technology was first applied to the field in 1985, and now Duri is one of the world's largest enhanced-recovery steamflood projects. In 1944, a well near the village of Minas became the largest oil field ever discovered in Southeast Asia. Production began after Indonesia won its struggle for independence in 1952.
In the 1990s, we expanded operations to include electric power generation, relying on geothermal and other forms of renewable power production. In 2007, Darajat III was recognized as the largest project in the world registered under the U.N. Clean Development Mechanism.
Chevron is now the world's largest producer of geothermal energy.
National Recognition
Chevron's companies are regularly honored for the quality of their operations in Indonesia.
In 2008, we received several awards from Republic of Indonesia ministries, including:
- Zero Accident Awards from the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration
- Three Environmental Management Green Awards from the Ministry of the Environment
- Padma Award from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources for local business development
We also received recognition from the president of the Republic of Indonesia for helping to rebuild Aceh and Nias after the tsunami.
Health, Environment and Safety
Protecting people and the environment and conducting our operations reliably and efficiently is an integral part of The Chevron Way. We place the highest priority on the health and safety of our workforce and protection of our assets and the environment.
Chevron supports Indonesia's national parks, conservation areas and many other environmental programs around the country. In East Kalimantan, we helped to establish the Berau Marine Protected Area. Within this area is Derawan Island, home of the endangered green turtle. The program also promotes sustainable employment in marine tourism and conservation projects.
In West Java, we collaborate with nongovernmental organizations concerned about the environment, biodiversity and conservation. With Wildlife Trust/Yayasan PEKA (Indonesian Nature Conservation Concern Foundation), we promote community awareness about the importance of conservation and biodiversity while also creating opportunities for economic growth.
We also work with Conservation International Indonesia to improve the environmental awareness of local people in Mount Halimun-Salak National Park. Using concealed cameras in the forest, we help monitor the presence and condition of endangered species, such as the Javanese tiger, the Owa Jawa monkey and the Javan hawk-eagle.
Recently, together with the Mount Halimun-Salak National Park and Raptor Sanctuary partnership network, we established the Suaka Elang (Raptor Sanctuary). This sanctuary marks the first step in the development of a multiparty professional network to support education about and rescue of raptors and their habitats.
In Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, we started the Domestic Waste Management program in 2005. The project promotes health, creates additional income for 450 households and has been adopted by the municipality of Balikpapan.
In Sumatra, Chevron's mobile health services provide health care, vaccinations and medical training for residents in 30 remote villages.
Economy
Chevron's day-to-day operations and capital investments contribute to Indonesia's economy. Salaries and wages paid to Chevron workers exert an important "multiplier effect." More than 7,000 employees and 32,000 business partner employees work for Chevron. About 97 percent of employees and managers are Indonesian nationals.
More than 1,000 Chevron Indonesian employees have completed U.S.-based assignments as part of their professional development and to learn new technical skills. Transfer of technology is an integral part of Chevron operations as Indonesian employees learn how to use new technologies from around the world.
Updated: March 2009