Pertamina EP Starts Exploration Well Hijacking In Bintuni, West Papua

JAKARTA - Pertamina EP-KSO Petroenergy Utama Weriagar, which has a contract with the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas), has taxed the WPL-3X development well at Weriagar Field, Sunday 7 August 2023 East Indonesia Time (WIT).

Deputy for Exploration of Work Area Development and Management of SKK Migas Benny Lubiantara explained that the WPL-3X Well is located in Weriagar Block, Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua.

The development well will be drilled in a direction (vertical) using Rig WBR 02 (450 HP) with a planned final depth of wells at 600 ftMD. This exploration drilling is intended to test and evaluate the potential of the oil and gas content contained in the Kais Formation.

"This exploration well drilling program is expected to be implemented for the next 2 months," said Benny in his statement to the media, Tuesday, August 8.

Benny also expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders who provide their support so that the tax of the WPL-3X exploration well can be realized.

According to him, SKK Migas continues to encourage exploration well drilling programs in eastern Indonesia, because the potential for oil and gas is still very low, as well as its role as one of the backbones to achieve the production target of 1 million barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and gas 12 billion cubic feet per day (BSCFD) in 2030.

Benny added that the upstream oil and gas industry is ready to support the increase in national oil and gas reserves through more massive and aggressive exploration well drilling in 2023.

"The target for drilling exploration wells in 2023 is 57 wells, an increase of 71 percent compared to the realization of exploration well drilling in 2022, which amounts to 42 wells," continued Benny.

In line with the government's program to encourage economic growth in the Papua and West Papua regions, said Benny, SKK Migas continues to encourage KKKS to increase oil and gas exploration activities in the region.

"The potential for oil and gas in this region must be optimized so that it can support the downstream oil and gas launched by the Government, especially efforts to increase the use of gas as industrial raw material and increase the role of entrepreneurs and local communities to be involved in the upstream oil and gas industry ecosystem," said Benny.

The Head of SKK Migas for the Papua and Maluku Regions, Subagyo, expressed his gratitude to the Governor of West Papua and the Regent of Teluk Bintuni for their support for drilling activities.

The implementation of the WPL-3X well tax in Weriagar Field is currently providing multiplayer effects for the surrounding community, as many as 34 youths from each village in Weriagar District, are also involved in the drilling activity process.

Subagyo added that SKK Migas and KKKS continue to involve regional stakeholders, including encouraging programs that are in harmony and synergy with local government development programs and involving and providing direct benefits for the community around the area of operation.

Meanwhile, General Manager of KSO Pertamina EP Petroenergy Utama Wiriagar Bosman Butar Butar expressed his gratitude for the support from the Bintuni Regional Government, the Indigenous Community and Community Institutions that have carried out the traditional procession smoothly, and the Tujak process has been carried out which has had a positive impact on residents around Weriagar District.

As a form of togetherness with the community and the surrounding environment, prior to the Sumur Hijak activity, it began with the Indigenous Ceremony of the owner of the Ulayat rights (Marga Hindum) which was attended by Dandramil, Commander of Brigif Kab Bintuni, Secretary of Bintuni District with Staff, Head of Kampung Weriagar, Mr. LMA, Youth shops and the people who own Ulayat.

The WPL-3X well is a Weriagar oil field development program proposed by KSO Pertamina EP and approved by SKK Migas.

This activity has been planned since obtaining approval from the Hindum Marga, the owner of the customary rights on oil fields to be drilled in September 2022.