Surpassing Targets: SLW-C4X Well at Pertamina EP Papua Field Achieves 1,014 BOPD Production

• 31 Dec 2025
• dukut.nugroho

Sorong, Indonesia — Approaching nearly a century of contribution to Indonesia’s energy security, the Papua Field operated by Pertamina EP Zone 14, Regional 4, continues to demonstrate Pertamina’s long-term commitment to sustaining national energy supply under the spirit of “Energizing Indonesia.” The Papua Working Area (WK Papua) is a mature brownfield that has been in production since 1932 and is currently in a natural decline phase. Despite these conditions, strong operational discipline, collaboration, and integrated execution across the Papua Field, Zone 14, and Regional 4 teams have delivered a significant achievement with the safe and successful completion of a development well in the Salawati Field, exceeding its production target. 

At the beginning of 2025, Papua Field—comprising 130 producing wells across three main fields: Klamono, Sele-Linda, and Salawati—recorded Month-to-Date (MTD) production of 848 barrels of oil per day (BOPD), outperforming planned targets. 

Operating a nearly 100-year-old asset presents substantial challenges, including remote locations, limited infrastructure access, and complex subsurface conditions. Nevertheless, these constraints have not diminished the commitment of Pertamina’s workforce to maintaining operational reliability and production sustainability. 

To address ongoing challenges and ensure continued energy delivery while strengthening Pertamina’s presence in Indonesia’s easternmost region, WK Papua has implemented an assertive growth and optimization strategy. Key initiatives include the drilling of four development wells in the Salawati Field, accelerated gas monetization at Klamono Utara W and Markisa, oil development at the Kembo structure, oil potential evaluation through a Low Quality Reservoir (LQR) study in the Sele-Linda Field, and the assessment of accelerated gas commercialization from the Mogoi Deep structure. 

As part of this program, the SLW-C4X development well was spudded on November 2, 2025, using the PDSI Rig #11.2/N80B-M, following minor schedule adjustments due to initial technical challenges. The drilling and completion activities were executed safely and efficiently, reaching total depth within 42 days. The well was drilled to 2,150 meters measured depth (2,091 meters true vertical depth), targeting the Kais Formation, where formation evaluation confirmed reservoir quality exceeding initial expectations. 

The well is equipped with an Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) MG3200, enabling strong production performance. Initial well testing commenced on December 12, 2025, delivering production of 581 BOPD, above the planned rate of 510 BOPD. Subsequent monitoring showed a consistent upward trend, with average production reaching 859 BOPD by December 18, 2025. 

The SLW-C4X well ultimately achieved an Initial Production (IP) rate of 1,014 BOPD, significantly surpassing its target. The latest performance data indicate stable production from SLW-C004 (SSP) at approximately 1,109.80 BOPD. This achievement underscores the value of continuous innovation, disciplined execution, and strong team commitment in maximizing the remaining potential of mature assets. The success reaffirms that long-producing brownfields can continue to deliver material value through targeted development and optimization initiatives. 

“This milestone reinforces our confidence in the remaining potential of Papua’s mature fields and strengthens our optimism for sustainable production going forward,” said Ardi, Field Manager of Papua Field. 

Pertamina’s Eastern Indonesia Upstream Subholding manages oil and gas operations across East Java, Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands, and Papua, covering both onshore and offshore assets. The region also includes one downstream asset, Donggi Senoro LNG. The working areas under the Eastern Indonesia Region comprise Zone 11 (Alas Dara Kemuning, Cepu, WMO, Randugunting, Sukowati, Poleng, Tuban East Java), Zone 12 (Jambaran Tiung Biru, Banyu Urip), Zone 13 (Donggi Matindok, Senoro Toili, Makassar Strait, Melati), and Zone 14 (Papua, Salawati, Salawati Basin, Binaiya). 

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