Pertamina Hulu Energi Discovers New Oil and Gas Resources in the Mahakam Area

• 31 Dec 2025
• dukut.nugroho

Jakarta – PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), the Upstream Subholding of PT Pertamina (Persero), continues to advance Indonesia’s national energy security through disciplined and sustainable exploration activities. In line with the commitment of Pertamina and Danantara Indonesia to strengthening domestic energy investment, PHE has recorded a new oil and gas discovery through its affiliate, PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM), at the Metulang Deep (MDP)-1x exploration well, located offshore South Mahakam, East Kalimantan. 

The MDP-1x well forms part of PHE’s Near Field Exploration strategy, aimed at accelerating value creation by leveraging existing infrastructure in mature producing areas. Despite limited exploration acreage, PHM has consistently pursued exploration opportunities by applying advanced geological concepts and innovative subsurface approaches. 

“This discovery demonstrates our ability to unlock new resources within mature basins through technical excellence and close collaboration with key stakeholders, including SKK Migas and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,” said Muharram Jaya Panguriseng, Director of Exploration of PHE.  

“With an estimated contingent resource of approximately 106 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) of Original Oil in Place, this discovery has the potential to be developed swiftly and to contribute meaningfully to national oil and gas production, supporting Indonesia’s long-term energy resilience.” 

Since assuming operatorship of the Mahakam Block in January 2018, PHM has drilled six exploration wells, achieving a high success rate with four discoveries, including MDP-1x, which is regarded as one of the most significant exploration results in the area in recent years. 

Sunaryanto, President Director of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), stated that exploration remains a critical pillar of sustainable upstream performance. “The MDP-1x discovery will be progressed into the development phase to support sustainable production growth, strengthen energy security in Kalimantan, and enhance PHI’s reserve-to-production (R/P) ratio,” he said. 

The MDP-1x well was drilled to a measured depth of 4,260 meters, intersecting the Yakin Formation. While the primary target was only partially penetrated due to high-pressure conditions, the well successfully identified promising hydrocarbon potential in shallower reservoirs, namely the Sepinggan Carbonate Sequence (SCS) and the Sepinggan Deltaic Sequence (SDS). 

Drill stem test results in the SCS zone—building on evaluations from the Manpatu-1x discovery in 2022—confirmed strong reservoir performance in both carbonate and sandstone intervals. Over a 25.5-meter test interval, the well achieved a maximum flow rate of approximately 2,821 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and gas production of 5 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD). These results highlight the continued potential of mature assets when supported by targeted innovation and appropriate technology deployment. 

Earlier in 2025, PHE also reported strong exploration and appraisal performance across its portfolio. Through its affiliate PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan Zone 4 Prabumulih, the BNG-064 well in the Adera Field exceeded initial production targets by 990%, delivering 1,400 BOPD and 4.51 MMSCFD of gas. This achievement was followed by the BNG-067 well in the North West Benuang area, which recorded oil production of 660 BOPD (440% of target) and gas production of 0.807 MMSCFD (207% of target). Additional exploration success was also achieved onshore West Java through the EPN-002 well. 

These 2025 achievements build on PHE’s strong exploration performance in 2024, when the company recorded more than 1.8 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of in-place gas resources—equivalent to approximately 320 MMBOE—from discoveries in Central Sulawesi, including the Wolai–East Wolai, Morea, and Tedong structures. 

PHE remains committed to responsible upstream operations aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The company enforces a zero-tolerance policy on bribery and fraud, supported by the implementation of an Anti-Bribery Management System certified under ISO 37001:2016, reinforcing PHE’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and sustainable value creation. 

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