Passing static tests, Pertamina continues SAF development

Photo: Pertamina

Pertamina, as the national energy company of Indonesia, announced July 29 that it has successfully conducted static tests of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on CFM56-7B jet engines commonly used in commercial aircraft at GMF Aeroasia’s test-cell facility.

This trial is the first step to ensure that SAF is feasible for use in commercial aircraft.

Pertamina is pushing for SAF to be adopted for commercial flights after previously successfully flying military aircraft type CN 250 using SAF in 2021.

Following the successful static-test results, the SAF product will enter the next testing phase, including ground round and flight tests.

Pertamina is actively supporting this series of SAF product tests through its Research & Technology Innovation, Kilang Pertamina Internasional, and Pertamina Patra Niaga, with the directorate general of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Transportation, ITB, APROBI, BPDPKS, LEMIGAS, BRIN, Garuda Indonesia and Garuda Facility Maintenance.

Fadjar Djoko Santoso, the vice president of corporate communications with Pertamina, stated that Pertamina produces SAF through coprocessing, a method that produces green fuel by processing vegetable-oil feedstock and petroleum simultaneously into green hydrocarbon, namely bio aviation fuel (bioavtur).

SAF production is currently carried out at RU IV Cilacap.

“As an energy company, Pertamina strives to respond to global challenges by producing green fuel, namely SAF, for the aviation industry in Indonesia,” Fadjar said.

Furthermore, Fadjar explained that SAF is developed as one of Pertamina’s efforts to implement energy-transition programs and to achieve the NZE 2060 target, where all Pertamina Group business lines collectively develop green-fuel innovations.

“This SAF product is developed in collaboration with various functions and subholdings within Pertamina and is produced by Pertamina refineries,” Fadjar added. “We believe that through this established synergy, we will continue to move forward in developing SAF as a key milestone and biofuel or green-energy acceleration in Indonesia.”

Pertamina said it is committed to supporting the net-zero emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact its achievement of sustainable-development goals.