Successfully Optimizing HPPO Wells, Pertamina Hulu Mahakam Boosts Handil Field Oil Production by Up to 2,000 Barrels Per Day

• 29 Jan 2026
• dukut.nugroho

Balikpapan – PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) recorded a positive achievement at the beginning of 2026 by delivering an additional oil production of 2,000 barrels per day (bpd) from two High Pour Point Oil (HPPO) wells at the Handil Field, East Kalimantan. The production performance of both HPPO wells exceeded the initial projection outlined in the 2026 Work Program & Budget (WP&B), which was estimated at approximately 400 bpd. This increase has raised the total contribution of HPPO wells within PHM’s operations to 3,000 bpd, including production from one well in the Tambora Field that has been operating since 2024. 

The two HPPO wells at the Handil Field possess unique characteristics, producing oil with a pour point higher than the pipeline operating temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. Without specialized treatment, such conditions could cause the oil to solidify, potentially obstructing production flowlines. 

PHM Senior Manager Production, Robert Roy Antoni, explained that PHM implemented a Pour Point Depressant (PPD) chemical treatment capable of reducing the oil’s pour point by up to 21 degrees Celsius. “The Mahakam Block is a mature asset with increasingly challenging well characteristics. However, this does not diminish our commitment to continuously seek innovative solutions to optimize challenging wells — those with high complexity and previously untapped potential,” said Robert. 

Meanwhile, PHM General Manager Setyo Sapto Edi added that successfully producing wells with increasingly complex operational and technical challenges has become part of PHM’s core expertise and experience. Previously, PHM successfully operated 17 emulsified oil wells by leveraging existing facilities at the Tunu, Tambora, Sisi Nubi, Peciko, and South Mahakam gas fields, cumulatively delivering additional production of up to 5,200 bpd based on wellhead measurements. 

The successful development of HPPO and emulsified wells underscores PHM’s commitment to innovation in addressing mature field challenges. With the additional output from these wells, PHM entered 2026 with an average oil production of approximately 25 thousand bpd, around 20 percent higher than the Government-established Work Program & Budgeting (WP&B) target. “We believe that operational and business sustainability is key to supporting Pertamina’s energy transition policy, while contributing to the national production targets of one million barrels of oil and 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas by 2029 or sooner,” emphasized Setyo. 

He also highlighted that upstream oil and gas investments — both exploration and exploitation — remain essential to sustaining the Company’s long-term production and supporting national energy security in line with the Government’s Asta Cita agenda on energy self-sufficiency. 

PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) within Zone 8, responsible for managing upstream oil and gas operations and business activities in the Mahakam Working Area, East Kalimantan, in accordance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. As a Production Sharing Contract Contractor for the Government of Indonesia, represented by SKK Migas, PHM together with other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates continues to implement innovation and technology to deliver safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally responsible energy, supporting sustainable national oil and gas production and advancing #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. Further information about PHM and PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com 

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