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The team consists of Nadya Challista Barkah (team leader), Muhammad Edi Sunyoto, Abdullah Azam, Muhammad Rafif Athallah, and Yusuf Arrazaq Malqi, under the supervision of Prof. Ir. Benyamin Sapiie, Ph.D., a professor from the Geodynamics and Sedimentology Research Group at the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology (FITB) ITB.

The Imperial Barrel Award (IBA) is an annual competition organized by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and involves geoscience students from around the world. In this competition, each team is given eight weeks to analyze real geological data such as seismic, geochemical, and well-log data. The results are presented in a professional format and judged by industry experts and academics based on technical quality, economic analysis, and presentation skills.

“During the Asia-Pacific regional round, we were extremely nervous because our target was to advance to the global stage. Our presentation was at 8 PM, and the announcement came at 1 AM. I even ended up sleeping in the Geodin meeting room because I was so anxious,” said Nadya Challista Barkah, the team leader.

“When we were finally announced as the winners, it was pure euphoria. The Bandung night sky that evening was beautiful — a rainbow, sunset, moon, and stars were all visible — it felt like a sign of victory,” she added.

At the global level, the ITB team earned an Honorable Mention for Excellence in Team Work. “We truly felt we deserved it because we gave it our all and constantly supported one another,” Nadya continued.

The Asia regional round featured strong teams from countries such as China, Thailand, India, and Pakistan. The biggest challenges came from the Chinese and Pakistani teams, both known for their strong geoscience research backgrounds and previous top-three finishes in IBA. However, this only further motivated the ITB team to deliver their best performance.

The team's analysis project focused on Northern Spain, the only onshore oil-producing region in the country, covering an area of 1,837 square kilometers. By analyzing seismic and well-log data, the team concluded that the region still holds hydrocarbon potential and recommended several locations for further exploration.

Nadya explained that the team’s preparation began well before the competition data was distributed. They studied strategies from past teams, created a presentation template, divided tasks based on each member’s expertise, and regularly consulted with faculty advisors and alumni. Once the data was received, they held intensive weekly meetings.

Time constraints and complex data posed significant challenges. “But our team cohesion was the key. We often bonded outside of work — from casual outings to visiting haunted houses — to strengthen our teamwork,” she revealed.

Even during high-pressure moments, such as an audio glitch during the global presentation, the team remained calm. They supported one another without blame, demonstrating strong solidarity and professionalism.

According to Nadya, the keys to their success were strong collaboration, mutual trust, and a well-planned strategy.“Not all advice is worth taking — you gotta know what to ignore. Build a solid strategy, trust your team, collaborate well, and the rest — just let the dice roll and play to win,” she concluded.

This achievement proves that with dedication, strategy, and strong synergy, ITB students can excel on the international stage. The Strata Explore Geoscience team hopes their accomplishment will inspire other students to take on challenges and showcase their talents globally.

Reporter: Andre Otniel Panggabean (Urban and Regional Planning, Class of 2022)