Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Targets Masela Blocks To Start Production No Later Than December 30, 2029

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif targets the Masela Block to start producing no later than December 30, 2029.

Previously, the oil and gas block, which is located in Maluku, was acquired 35 percent of its shares by Pertamina and Petronas.

"Indeed, the government expects 2030 production achievements to reach 12 BSCFD, and we hope that December 30, 2029 Masela, will produce no later than late," Arifin told the media quoted Monday, July 7.

Arifin revealed that Shell and Inpex previously targeted Masela to produce in 2027, but with Shell leaving in 2020, the progress of cultivating this oil and gas block has not progressed.

"Because it hasn't been filled for a long time, the status is not clear. We don't have any certainty. Previously, the plan to flow gas in 2027 was just a relaxed language," continued Arifin.

With the entry of Indonesia's state-owned oil and gas company, Pertamina, which is conducting a consortium with Petronas to the gas block, is expected to fill the existing gap so that production can occur in 2029 and benefit the country.

For this reason, continued Arifin, the government will form a working team this month to prepare further work plans.

After completion, Pertamina will submit a POD and the certainty of the production will take place.

"The government will form a working group that will start working this August with a target of 3 months to be able to make the work plan can achieve the target requested by the government. At the same time, we will process the revised Plan of Development (POD) from POD I," explained Arifin.