Wamen ESDM Says Russian Origin Company to Continue Tuna Block in June 2026

Wamen ESDM Yuliot Tanjung (Photo: VOI File)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) said that Russian oil and gas company Zarubezhneft said it would resume development of the Tuna Block in June, after it was delayed due to Harbour Energy's withdrawal.

"We met with Zarubezhneft and discussed the continuation of the Tuna Block project, which is still pending. Zarubezhneft expressed its commitment to continue the project in June next month," said Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot, quoted by Antara.

Yuliot held a meeting with officials from the Russian oil and gas company, Joint Stock Company Zarubezhneft (JSC Zarubezhneft), on the sidelines of a working visit to attend the 14th Joint Commission Meeting on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation between Indonesia and Russia which took place in Kazan, Russia.

At the meeting, Yuliot said, Zarubezhneft expressed its readiness to resume the Tuna Block project in June. The Tuna Block project was delayed due to the withdrawal of Premier Oil, a subsidiary of Harbour Energy, which was Zarubezhneft's partner in working on this project.

"The government will provide support for the continuation of this project," said Yuliot.

Zarubezhneft started a project in Indonesia since acquiring a 50 percent participating interest (PI) in the Tuna Project in the Natuna Sea through its subsidiary, ZN Asia Ltd., in 2020.

At this meeting, Zarubezhneft also expressed its desire to be able to work on other oil and gas projects in Indonesia to support the increase in Indonesian oil and gas production, through Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technology and reactivation of idle wells.

Zarubezhneft's interest to invest in Indonesia has been recorded in the document Agreed Minutes of the 14th RI-Russia Joint Commission Meeting (SKB).

Russia noted JSC Zarubezhneft's interest in expanding and strengthening cooperation with Indonesian partners, including participation in new joint projects with Indonesian oil and gas companies.

Russia also asked for support in completing the compliance process for companies nominated by Zarubezhneft to begin organizing oil supplies to Indonesia.