Head of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Task Force (SKK Migas), Djoko Siswanto, has expressed hope that State energy company Pertamina will take over the Tuna oil and gas block following the withdrawal of Harbour Energy.
The Tuna Block, located in the North Natuna Sea near the Indonesia–Vietnam maritime border, is currently managed jointly by Russia’s Zarubezhneft and Premier Oil Tuna BV (Harbour Energy), each holding a 50 percent participating interest.
“Harbour Energy is currently in the tender process to find a replacement partner. We hope Pertamina steps in so that a national company can be involved,” Djoko said at the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
He added that Harbour has already opened data access for interested parties, and SKK Migas expects a decision on the new partner to be made this month.
“Hopefully the process won’t drag on. God willing, Pertamina and other domestic partners can participate,” he said.
Pertamina President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri confirmed the company’s interest in developing the Tuna Block alongside Zarubezhneft.
“If there’s an opportunity for us to increase national lifting, we will definitely pursue it and take part,” Simon said as quoted by Antara news agency on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Simon emphasized that Pertamina would follow all applicable regulations and compliance procedures.
“We welcome the opportunity as long as it contributes to higher production. We’ll proceed according to the rules and compliance requirements,” he said.
SKK Migas Deputy for Exploration, Development, and Working Area Management Rikky Rahmat Firdaus, cited that Harbour Energy’s withdrawal was linked to U.S. sanctions affecting its Russian partner.
“They cannot continue the project because their partner is under U.S. sanctions. Harbour also appears to be redirecting its investments to the North Sea,” Rikky said on July 22, 2025.
He noted that Zarubezhneft will continue managing the block but must quickly secure a new partner to resume operations, as the Russian company previously acted as a non-operator in the project.
Despite the management change, SKK Migas hopes the onstream schedule for the Tuna Block − targeted for 2028–2029 − will remain on track.
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