Pertamina Hulu Energy Finds New Oil and Gas Resources in Mahakam

Illustration. (Photo: Dok. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) through its affiliate PHE, PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), discovered oil and gas resources in the Metulang Deep (MDP)-1x exploration well drilling in the South Mahakam offshore area, East Kalimantan.

"It is hoped that the discovery of the contingent resources of Original Oil in Place (OOIP) which is estimated to be around 106 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) can be immediately developed and contribute to national oil and gas lifting to realize energy self-sufficiency and national energy security," said Director of Exploration of PHE, Muharram Jaya Panguriseng, quoted on January 6.

He explained that the drilling of the MDP-1x well was part of the Near Field Exploration strategy carried out by PHE as a quick win to be able to be produced faster by utilizing the nearest oil and gas field facilities that have entered the mature phase (mature field).

In the midst of limited work areas, PHM consistently carries out exploration activities by adopting the latest concepts and approaches to geology.

Since taking over the management of the Mahakam Block on January 1, 2018, PHM has drilled six exploration wells with a high success rate.

Four of them managed to record a discovery, including the MDP-1x well which was considered one of the significant findings.

President Director of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), Sunaryanto, as the Regional Kalimantan Subholding Upstream Pertamina, said that exploration is a key factor in maintaining energy sustainability.

"With the findings of the MDP-1x drilling, we will immediately carry out development to encourage sustainable production increases, strengthen energy resilience in Kalimantan, and increase the ratio of reserves to production or RtoP Pertamina Hulu Indonesia," he continued.

Sumur MDP-1x berhasil dibor hingga kedalaman terukur 4.260 meter hingga menembus lapisan Formasi Yakin. Meski target utama Formasi Yakin hanya dapat ditembus sebagian akibat kondisi tekanan tinggi (high pressure), PHM berhasil mengidentifikasi potensi sumber daya yang menjanjikan pada formasi yang lebih dangkal, yakni Sepinggan Carbonate Sequence (SCS) dan Sepinggan Deltaic Sequence (SDS).

Based on the results of the flow test (drill stem test) in the Sepinggan Carbonate Sequence (SCS) zone, which is the result of the follow-up evaluation of the Manpatu-1x well discovery in 2022, it was confirmed that the carbonate and sandstone reservoirs in the zone have good production capabilities.

With a flow test interval of 25.5 meters, this well recorded a maximum flow rate of around 2,821 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and gas production of 5 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD).

"This success shows that the oil and gas block that has entered the mature phase still has significant potential if managed through the application of the right innovations and technologies," he said.