Jakarta – The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) revealed that of the 128 oil and gas basins throughout Indonesia, 68 or around 53 per cent remain unexplored.
These basins hold potential oil reserves of 2.41 billion barrels estimated to support production for the next 11 years. In addition, natural gas reserves in these basins are estimated at 35.3 trillion cubic feet (TCF) with a production period of around 15 years.
Secretary of the Directorate General of Oil and Gas of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Maompang Harahap, Friday, August 9, stated that this huge potential provides an opportunity for Indonesia to increase domestic oil and gas production, and reduce dependence on imports.
“Currently, of the 166 oil and gas working areas (WK) in Indonesia, 104 WK are already in the production stage, while the other 62 WK are still in the exploration stage. This shows that efforts to find new reserves continue, with the hope of extending the production life of existing fields,” he said in an official statement.
Going forward, in the period 2027 to 2028, a significant surge in natural gas production is expected, especially from several potential fields such as Geng North, Gandang-Gendalo, and Andaman work areas IDD (Indonesia Deepwater Development Project).
Geng North, which is projected to start production in 2027, is expected to contribute an additional 1,000 MMSCFD of production with 4.1 TCF of gas reserves.
Meanwhile, the Gandang Gendalo IDD, with gas reserves of 6.3 TCF, is expected to produce up to 4,900 MMSCFD. Andaman field, although still in the exploration stage, has a production potential of 527 MMSCFD with reserves of around 10 TCF.
However, Maompang also said that the development of these new gas fields is not free from challenges. “Licensing issues, infrastructure availability, and fluctuations in global energy prices are the main challenges in developing these fields,” he added.
Therefore, he said, the government and oil and gas companies must collaborate closely, including by conducting exploration drilling targeting the Giant Prospect at an average of 54 wells per year, as well as cooperation with major global oil and gas companies such as EOG Resources and CNPC.
Maompang hopes that further exploration in these basins will bring significant results, with the discovery of new oil and gas reserves that will increase national production and prolong the sustainability of Indonesia’s oil and gas industry in the future. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: North Sea Gas Platform – D15-A. Gary Bembridge/Wikimedia commons.
.jpg){kind=link}