The 50th IPA Convex 2026: Strengthening Upstream Oil and Gas Collaboration to Face Geopolitical Challenges and National Energy Security
Jakarta, May 12, 2026 - The current global geopolitical situation poses a serious challenge for Indonesia, particularly in achieving national energy security. This scenario has the potential to pose risks to the national energy supply, particularly as Indonesia still relies on energy imports to meet its domestic needs. This situation encourages collaboration between the government and industry players to strengthen national energy security through increased production and accelerated exploration in the upstream oil and gas sector.
The Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA), an association of upstream oil and gas sector players in Indonesia, is once again holding its annual conference and exhibition known as the IPA Convention and Exhibition (“IPA Convex”). This year, IPA Convex is being held for the 50th time with the theme “50 Years of Energy Partnership: Shaping the Next Era for Advancing Growth.” The event will take place on Wednesday-Friday, May 20-22, 2026, at ICE BSD City, Tangerang.
"The current global situation shows that the energy supply chain is very vulnerable to geopolitical turmoil. Indonesia needs to anticipate the situation by strengthening domestic production so that it is not too dependent on imports," said IPA Executive Director Marjolijn Wajong at the Press Conference—Road to IPA Convex 2026, in Jakarta, Tuesday (12/5/2026).
She added that the current global geopolitical dynamics must be a momentum for Indonesia to strengthen its national energy security by increasing domestic oil and gas production. According to him, Indonesia still has a great opportunity to increase national oil and gas production. More than 50 percent of oil and gas basins in Indonesia are currently unexplored, even though most of them are in eastern Indonesia and deep seas that require high technology and large investments.
She assessed that the challenges of the upstream oil and gas industry today lie not only in technical aspects but also in investment needs and high exploration risks. Therefore, consistent government policies, legal certainty, accelerated licensing, and competitive fiscal schemes are key to attracting investors. "Discovering new reserves is key. Relying solely on ongoing projects is not enough. More aggressive exploration and close collaboration between the government and industry players are needed," he said.
The Chairperson of the IPA Convex 2026 Committee, Teresita Listyani, who attended the event, added that this year's 50th IPA Convex not only reflects the long journey of the national upstream oil and gas industry but also serves as a strategic forum to discuss the future of Indonesia's energy security. "IPA Convex is an important momentum to strengthen collaboration between the government, industry players, investors, academics, and the younger generation in supporting national energy security and creating an increasingly competitive investment climate," said Teresita.
She explained that IPA Convex 2026 will present more than 200 exhibitors and more than 200 technical presentations covering various strategic issues in the energy sector, from exploration and technology to energy transition and upstream oil and gas investment.
The main series of events will be opened on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, through an inauguration ceremony planned to be led by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia. The various inauguration agendas include the signing of several strategic contracts, reports from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, and VIP visits to the exhibition area.
In addition to the main exhibition and conference, IPA Convex 2026 also presents various strategic forums such as the Plenary Session, Concurrent Session, and Innovative Energy Solutions, which bring together the government, global energy companies, investors, and technology providers to discuss solutions to future energy challenges. "We want IPA Convex to be a platform that produces real collaboration and encourages investment acceleration, especially in Indonesia's upstream oil and gas sector, which still has enormous potential," added Teresita.
To strengthen media involvement in IPA Convex 2026, she added, this year's committee held a Journalist Writing Competition, which will run from January to May 21, 2026.
IPA Convex 2026 received support from various national and global energy companies through several sponsorship categories. In the Titanium Sponsor category, there are PT Pertamina Hulu Energi, Mubadala Energy, and bp Indonesia. Meanwhile, the Platinum Sponsor category is supported by MedcoEnergi, PETRONAS Indonesia, ExxonMobil Indonesia, PT Energi Mega Persada Tbk (EMP), KUFPEC, S&P Global Energy, and SK Innovation. In the Gold Sponsor category, support is provided by INPEX, Jadestone Energy, McDermott, Accenture Indonesia, and JAPEX. The Silver Sponsor category is supported by PT Donggi Senoro LNG, SLB, Harbour Energy, and Subsea7.
The support of these sponsors demonstrates the energy industry's strong commitment to supporting IPA Convex 2026 as the largest strategic event for the upstream oil and gas industry in Southeast Asia.
