The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has announced that Malaysian oil company Petronas successfully completed a 2D seismic survey in the Seram-Aru offshore area in July 2024, ahead of schedule.
The survey covered 1,000 kilometers and is part of a broader effort to enhance oil and gas exploration in Eastern Indonesia.
Petronas, through its subsidiary PC North Madura II Ltd. (PCNM2), has completed a significant milestone in Indonesia’s oil and gas exploration efforts.
The company finished a 2D seismic survey in the offshore area of Seram-Aru earlier than expected in July 2024, as confirmed by the ESDM ministry on August 15, 2024.
Director of Upstream Oil and Gas at the ESDM ministry, Ariana Soemanto, highlighted that this seismic survey was part of Petronas Carigali (Surumana) Ltd.’s (PCSL) obligation to transfer a committed investment of US$6.8 million(Rp106.7 billion) from the former Surumana Working Area (WK).
“The survey, which utilized cutting-edge technology and 12-kilometer-long cables − the longest ever used in similar seismic acquisitions in the region − will contribute valuable geological and geophysical data,” Ariana said.
The Seram-Aru area is one of five key focus areas for accelerating exploration activities in Eastern Indonesia.
This early completion of the seismic survey is expected to provide a more detailed seismic profile, which is crucial for understanding the region’s potential for oil and gas reserves.
The Indonesian government had previously approved the relinquishment of the Surumana WK, with the condition that Petronas completes the remaining committed activities. The company then proposed an exploration plan to fulfill the transfer of commitment, which was approved by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources on March 30, 2023.
Ariana emphasized the government’s support for Petronas in boosting national oil and gas production and reserves.
She expressed hope that the new data acquired from the Seram-Aru seismic survey would lead to significant discoveries, further supporting Indonesia’s ambitious “1 Million Barrels” program.
“The Directorate General of Oil and Gas, along with the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Task Force (SKK Migas), will continue to support Petronas’s efforts to evaluate the Seram-Aru area as a new working area, reaffirming the company’s commitment to long-term operations in Indonesia,” Ariana added.
