TANJUNG SELOR - PT Pertamina Hulu Energi Lepas Pantai Bunyu (PHE LPB) has finalized the preparations for drilling the Tingkilan-01 Exploration Well in Mangkupadi Village, East Tanjung Palas District, Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan (Kaltara).
The project, which is scheduled to start in August 2026, is part of efforts to find additional natural gas reserves to support the energy needs of strategic industrial areas on the Benuanta Earth.
Senior Geoscientist Exploration Region 3 PHE LPB, Yordi Nugrahadi revealed that the Tingkilan-01 drilling aimed to prove the existence of hydrocarbons in the carbonate reservoir target of the Menumbar Formation located in the Maratua Working Area (WK).
"Tingkilan-01 well was designed to verify the presence of hydrocarbons in the Late Miocene carbonate reservoir of the Menumbar Formation, which has been analogized with several exploration wells in the surrounding area," said Yorgi, Thursday, July 23.
"The results of this exploration are expected to support gas production in North Kalimantan, especially to meet the needs of the Indonesian Green Industrial Area (KIPI)," he continued.
Yordi explained that the main target of drilling is the Menumbar Formation carbonate reservoir which is estimated to hold a considerable gas potential. Based on the results of geological studies and seismic data, the prospects of Tingkilan-01 are projected to have resources of around 49.35 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) or around 276.93 billion cubic feet of gas (BCFG) in the P50 scenario.
"This drilling is not only to prove the oil and gas potential, but also to be part of the long-term development plan of the Maratua Working Area, including supporting the development of Deep Sembakung and South East Sembakung in 2027," he said.
He explained that the drilling location was in the plantation area of PT Bulungan Citra Agro Persada (BCAP) in Mangkupadi Village. The well point was chosen in the middle of the plantation area and was not in the residential area so that it was hoped to minimize the impact on community activities.
"Until mid-July 2026, the progress of project preparation has reached about 82 percent. PHE LPB targets the well shaft to be carried out on August 25, 2026, while SKK Migas proposes acceleration of implementation on August 17, 2026," he explained.
Support for exploration activities was also conveyed by the Provincial Government (Pemprov) of North Maluku, the Regional Secretary of North Maluku Province (Sekdaprov), Denny Harianto through the Assistant for Economy and Development of the North Maluku Provincial Government, Sapi'i emphasized that the local government appreciates PHE LPB's steps in holding socialization as a form of openness of information to the government and the community before the drilling activities began.
"The Provincial Government appreciates the steps of the Bunyu Beach PHE who initiated this socialization as a form of openness of information to the government and all stakeholders before the implementation of exploration," said Sapi'i.
He emphasized that openness of information is an important foundation in building public confidence in the exploration activities of oil and gas that will be carried out.
"This step is a manifestation of commitment to build good, transparent, and participatory communication in every stage of oil and gas exploration activities," he said.
Sapi'i explained that the oil and gas sector still holds a strategic role in supporting national energy security as well as being one of the drivers of regional economic growth.
"The potential natural resources owned by Kaltara must be managed optimally, professionally, and responsibly in order to provide the greatest benefit to the community," he said.
He ensured that the North Kalimantan Provincial Government supports exploration activities carried out in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations while still prioritizing aspects of occupational safety, environmental protection, and public interest.
"We support oil and gas exploration activities carried out in accordance with regulations by prioritizing aspects of occupational safety, maintaining environmental sustainability, and respecting the rights of the community around the operating area," he concluded. (
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