Tech From Osaka Protecting Indonesia’s future with disaster prevention and mitigation technology: HI-TEC Inc. and DRBE Held Introduction Seminar on Hybrid Drilling Method

On May 28, 2025, HI-TEC Inc. a Japanese geological survey consulting company, together with its counterpart, Balai Geoteknik Terowongan dan Struktur (BGTS) or Implementation Unit for Geotechnics, Tunnels, and Structures, Directorate Road and Bridge Engineering (DRBE), Directorate General Highway, Ministry of Public Work (MOPW), held an introduction seminar on hybrid drilling method through the JICA-Biz “SDGs Business Verification Survey with the Private Sector for Hybrid Drilling Method”. The seminar was attended by Mr.Panji Krisna Wardana, ST., MT., Head of BGTS, Prof. Ir. Widjojo Adi Prakoso, MSc. Ph.D, President of Himpunan Ahli Teknik Tanah Indonesia (HATTI), Mr. KOMIYA Kunimori, President & CEO, HI-TEC Inc. and Mr. SATO Akira, Senior Representative of JICA Indonesia Office.

The project implementor, HI-TEC Inc. is a geological investigation company, provides a wide range of services for engineering and infrastructure projects like dam, highway, and various geological and hydrological investigations. Hybrid Drilling Method is a special technology for high quality core sampling, applies to all kind complex geological conditions. The Hybrid Drilling Method is a unique drilling technology that allows the drilling medium to be changed based on the geological conditions. The primary medium used for drilling is fine-grained air bubbles, which help obtain "undisturbed core samples" without generating excessive water pressure. Based on these high quality cores with high reproducibility, the users can obtain more valuable geological information through core observations and laboratory tests.

This project was started from 2017 as JICA-Biz project formulation survey with DRBE, PU. The project aims to develop the business of geological surveys using the Hybrid Drilling Method and ultimately contribute to promoting high-quality infrastructure development and cost reduction in Indonesia.

The introduction seminar was attended approximately 100 persons from various stake holders of the project such as local construction companies, government and some Japanese construction companies. Mr.Panji Krisna Wardana, ST., MT., Head of BGTS said “The development and utilization of cutting-edge technology through collaboration among government, private sector, and universities is essential to address development issues and needs. DRBE has been collaborating with the JICA project on hybrid drilling method. In 2024, ground investigations were conducted in Puncak Cianjur, Serang Banten, and Pekanbaru Riau, and excellent results were obtained in identifying bedrock, soft ground, and slip surfaces.”.

Mr. SATO Akira, Senior Representative of JICA Indonesia Office said “We hope that the widespread use of the hybrid drilliing method will contribute to further infrastructure development in Indonesia and promote countermeasures against ground disasters. “.

The JICA Biz (SDGs Business Supporting Surveys) is a project that aims to provide partner countries with high-quality, innovative technologies, knowledge, and ideas from Japanese companies to solve development issues through business.

JICA works to co-create value by utilizing the networks, relationships of trust and know-how with governments of developing countries that it has built through Official Development Assistance (ODA). As mentioned above, “SDGs Business Verification Survey with the Private Sector for Hybrid Drilling Method”, this project period is SEP 2023 to DEC 2025.

JICA Indonesia Office
NIWA Kenji
TEL: +62-21-5795-2112
E-mail: Niwa.Kenji3@jica.go.jp