PHM Successfully Brings Sisi Nubi AOI Project Onstream to Strengthen National Energy Security

• 05 Dec 2025
• dukut.nugroho

Balikpapan -- PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) has officially brought the Sisi Nubi Area of Interest 1-3-5 (Sisi Nubi AOI) Project onstream, a strategic initiative aimed at increasing the Company’s oil and gas production to support the availability and resilience of national energy supply. The success of the Sisi Nubi AOI Project was marked by the onstream of the first well, SS-401, at the WPS4 Platform on 4 December 2025 at 12:23 WITA, producing 2.4 MMscfd (adjusted choke 24/64”).  

The well was subsequently ramped up to a 42/64” choke on 5 December 2025 at 09:10 WITA, achieving production of up to 10 MMscfd. According to the project plan, the SS-406 well at the same platform was scheduled to be opened on 6 December 2025, with combined production from both wells targeted to reach 20 MMscfd by 8 December 2025. 

The Sisi Nubi AOI Project includes the construction of six new offshore platforms, three deck extensions at existing facilities, and six subsea pipeline segments with a total length of 22 kilometers, installed at water depths of approximately 60–80 meters. These developments connect the new platforms to existing facilities and support the drilling of 36 development wells across the six platforms. 

PHM General Manager, Setyo Sapto Edi, stated that the successful onstream of this project reflects PHM’s commitment to sustaining oil and gas production from the Mahakam Working Area (WK Mahakam), which plays a vital role in securing Indonesia’s future energy supply. He emphasized that this achievement was the result of close collaboration among all PHM personnel and business partners. “We collaborate with all stakeholders, including the Directorate General of Oil and Gas, SKK Migas, and our partners, to apply innovation and technology in managing the Company’s upstream oil and gas operations and business,” he said. 

Setyo further reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to implementing innovation and technology in line with the policies of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) as the holding company and PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) as Pertamina’s Upstream Subholding. “We believe that innovation and technology are strategic steps to mitigate production decline, increase recovery rates, maintain production levels, and slow the natural decline of mature oil and gas fields in the Kalimantan region,” he explained. 

The Sisi Nubi AOI Project serves as a benchmark for technological innovation across subsurface evaluation, surface facilities, drilling operations, and well intervention. Subsurface targeting in this project utilized a seismic-driven target methodology based on machine learning, which has successfully unlocked potential results exceeding expectations through the drilling of two wells in the Sisi Nubi AOI Project. On the surface facilities side, the project adopted Suction Pile Foundation (SPF) technology—an innovative breakthrough applied for the first time in Indonesia—enabling faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly installation of offshore structures. 

In drilling operations, the wells employed the New Concept–Sacrificial Casing method, a state-of-the-art partition system proven to enhance operational reliability while accelerating execution time. As a result, well SS-406 achieved the fastest and safest Rate of Penetration ever recorded at PHM. 

Well SS-406 also became the first well in Indonesia to implement pressure testing and fluid analysis directly using the drill string. In addition, well completion activities demonstrated significant advancements, including the successful installation of completion equipment featuring single-trip, multi-zone gravel pack sand control and multi-zone packer isolation with 9-5/8” and 7” tubular sizes. This technology is designed to control sand production, isolate multiple reservoir zones for selective production, and prepare for future application of thru-tubing screens, thereby optimizing production performance. 

Setyo added that the successful onstream of the development wells at the Sisi Nubi AOI Project, WPS4 Platform, marks the beginning of subsequent production phases. Currently, the project is continuing with development drilling using two jack-up rigs operating simultaneously at two different platforms. “I am optimistic that the success of the Sisi Nubi AOI Project can serve as a reference for other upstream oil and gas projects. I firmly believe that strong collaboration, integrity, and high morale will deliver the best results,” Setyo concluded. 

During a two-day visit to PHM earlier, PHE President Director Awang Lazuardi stated that as Pertamina’s Upstream Subholding, PHE will continue to invest in upstream oil and gas operations and business management in accordance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. “Most of Indonesia’s oil production comes from mature fields that we operate across various regions, including the Mahakam Working Area. The main challenge is how to maintain production levels amid the natural decline of reservoir conditions,” he noted. 

Awang also emphasized that innovation and technology are key pillars in the successful management of mature fields, while human resources remain the decisive factor. “The success of upstream oil and gas investment strategies and project execution depends heavily on the competence of field personnel. We continuously develop the capabilities of our workforce, both senior and new generations, to ensure they remain adaptive, innovative, and responsive to industry challenges,” he explained. 

Meanwhile, PHI President Director Sunaryanto stated that PHI and its subsidiaries are committed to applying best engineering practices—both nationally and globally—in the development and expansion of the Company’s oil and gas production and operating facilities. “The Sisi Nubi AOI Project is not only about building offshore facilities, but also about maintaining a forward-looking spirit amid increasingly complex operational and business challenges. With an average design capacity of 20–25 MMSCFD per platform, the Sisi Nubi AOI Project will enhance PHM’s gas and condensate production and contribute to national energy availability and security,” Sunaryanto said. 

A series of important milestones were successfully achieved throughout the project lifecycle. The project began with the First Cut of Steel ceremony at PT Meindo Elang Indah’s yard in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, on 15 January 2024. This was followed by the sail-away of six jackets in November–December 2024, with offshore jacket installation completed between December 2024 and January 2025. Installation of pipelines, risers, and subsea spools took place from January to February 2025. 

On 28 April 2025, the topsides of platforms WPS4 and WPS5 were sailed away, followed by the sail-away of WPN7 and WPN8 on 6 May 2025, and WPN5 and WPN6 on 16 May 2025. Offshore topside installation activities were carried out safely from May to June 2025. These activities were followed by the drilling of wells SS-401 and SS-406 at the WPS4 platform, which took place from 13 August to 5 November 2025. 

Well connection, well intervention, and start-up activities were conducted between 5 November and 4 December 2025 for wells SS-401 and SS-406. During this phase, PHM utilized new Coil Hose technology to efficiently remove completion fluids on minimalist platforms, as well as Tractor and Stroker technologies to enable zone changes in highly deviated wells. Production ramp-up of the first two wells at WPS4 was carried out gradually, accompanied by data acquisition and continuous monitoring of well parameters. 

Involving more than 2,800 workers and extensive SIMOPS activities, the Sisi Nubi AOI Project was classified as a highly complex project. Nevertheless, all project phases from early 2024 through onstream execution were completed safely, achieving more than 9 million man-hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI). This achievement underscores PHM’s strong commitment to the consistent implementation of HSSE standards across all upstream oil and gas projects and operational activities. 

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