RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and South Korea have taken a significant step toward strengthening their energy partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the offshore plant service industry.

The agreement, exchanged during a bilateral meeting at the Blue House in Seoul on April 1, 2026, underscores both nations’ commitment to advancing collaboration in oil and gas services.

The MoU aims to bolster synergy between the two countries in developing offshore installation services, with a focus on technology transfer, human resource development, and the decommissioning and reutilization of offshore oil and gas platforms.

“This MoU is targeted to strengthen the synergy between Indonesia and the Republic of Korea in developing offshore installation services," Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said in Jakarta on Monday, April 6, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The agreement was formally exchanged by related ministers in the presence of President Prabowo Subianto and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Its scope includes advancing offshore installation technology, decommissioning post-operational oil and gas platforms, and repurposing facilities for new uses.

Both countries also pledged to enhance communication and collaboration between public and private sectors while strengthening human resource capacity in oil and gas and related industries.

Minister Airlangga emphasized that the cooperation opens opportunities for national energy players, including Pertamina Group and private companies, to participate in implementing the MoU.

“The reutilization of offshore platforms after oil and gas operations is planned to serve as LNG Receiving Terminals and Carbon Capture and Storage sites, and this is open to national energy industry players,” he explained.

The MoU will remain in effect for five years from the date of signing and may be extended upon mutual agreement. While it does not create binding international legal obligations, the pact serves as a crucial foundation for reinforcing the Indonesia-Korea strategic partnership in the energy sector.

“This cooperation reflects the commitment of both countries to promote sustainable economic development, while also strengthening Indonesia’s position as a strategic player in the global energy industry,” Airlangga concluded. ***