BRIN develops xanthan gum for efficient oil and gas production

hartono · Apr 16, 2026

Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Arif Satria at the BRIN Goes to Industry III event in Jakarta, Thursday (April 16, 2026). ANTARA/Sean Filo Muhamad/rst

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing an industrial additive called xanthan gum to improve the efficiency of oil and gas production processes in Indonesia.

Speaking at the BRIN Goes to Industry III event in Jakarta on Thursday, the head of BRIN, Arif Satria, said the use of xanthan gum is expected to increase national energy independence.

"We try to replace the imported products we currently use," he noted.

He informed that the national oil consumption, which reaches 1.6 million barrels per day, cannot be completely dependent on imported fuel.

Therefore, BRIN has mastered the process of producing xanthan gum independently.

Satria further hopes that the research outcomes can move beyond the laboratory through collaboration with industry and be commercialized.

"BRIN should not conduct research that remains purely in the imagination of researchers and, once completed, turns out to be unnecessary for industry. That is what we must avoid," he remarked.

He addressed that xanthan gum plays an important role as a thickener, emulsifier, and viscosity controller, which are essential in various sectors.

In the energy industry, particularly in oil drilling, xanthan gum serves as a drilling additive to maintain fluid stability, prevent pipe blockages, and increase drilling process efficiency, he continued.

The xanthan gum product developed by BRIN comes in a beige-brown powder form that is free-flowing, stable, and safe to use, making it easy to apply in various production lines.

Satria said that with its superior rheological properties, this research and innovation open up significant opportunities for industry collaboration to strengthen supply chains and achieve sustainable innovation.

The energy sector is currently under the spotlight due to growing concerns over limited energy access amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Besides securing national stock, Indonesia is seeking to meet its domestic energy needs by conducting a series of negotiations with several countries, where Russia has agreed to supply crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for Indonesia.