68 Indonesian Oil And Gas Basins Have Not Been Explored

JAKARTA - The Directorate General of Oil and Gas reports that out of a total of 128 oil and gas basins in Indonesia, 68 basins or about 53 percent have never been explored at all.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Oil and Gas (Migas) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Maompang Harahap, said this shows that Indonesia's natural stomach still has great potential that can be exploited.

These unstampled basins hold a potential oil reserve of 2.41 billion barrels with an estimated production period of 11 years.

Meanwhile, natural gas reserves are estimated to reach 35.3 trillion cubic feet (TCF) with a production period of around 15 years.

"These figures show great potential that can be utilized to increase domestic oil and gas production and reduce dependence on imports," said Maompang, Friday, August 9.

According to Mampang, out of a total of 166 Oil and Gas Working Areas (WK Migas), 104 are already in the production stage, and 62 other oil and gas WKs are still in the exploration stage.

This shows that exploration continues to find new reserves and extend production ages in existing fields.

Data shows that in the period 2027 to 2028, it is estimated that there will be a significant increase in natural gas production, especially from fields such as the North Gang, IDD Gandang Gendalo, and Andaman.

North Gang

It is projected to produce an additional production of 1,000 MMSCFD with reserves reaching 4.1 TCF. This field is expected to start producing in 2027.

IDD Gandang Gendalo

With a production target of 4,900 MMSCFD and a reserves of 6.3 TCF, this field also has great potential to increase national gas production.

Andaman

Although still in the exploration stage, the Andaman field is estimated to have a production potential of 527 MMSCFD with a reserve of around 10 TCF.

Although the prospects are bright, the development of new gas fields is also faced with a number of challenges, such as licensing issues, infrastructure availability, and global energy price fluctuations.

Therefore, the government and oil and gas companies need to work together, such as drilling the exploration of Targeting Giant Prospect on an average of 54 wells each year and Non Conventional Oil and Gas cooperation with world big players such as EOG Resources, CNPC, etc.

"It is hoped that further exploration in this basin will find new oil and gas reserves, which will increase national oil and gas production and extend the future of the Indonesian oil and gas industry," concluded Maompang.