Boosting Production: Pertamina and Apache Discuss Global Collaboration Opportunities

PT Pertamina (Persero) conducted strategic discussions with Apache Corporation regarding opportunities for developing upstream oil and gas operations, with a focus on strengthening collaboration in conventional and unconventional reservoir development to support an increase in national oil production. During the meeting, both parties discussed various cooperation opportunities, ranging from the development of upstream oil and gas assets in Indonesia, potential international collaborations, to exploring Apache’s investment interests and exploration opportunities in Indonesia. One of the main topics of attention was the development of low-quality reservoirs through the application of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and Multi-Stage Fracturing (MSF) technologies. These technologies are considered to have potential to support the optimisation of national oil and gas field production, particularly in reservoirs with more complex characteristics. In addition, both companies also explored the potential for developing unconventional reservoirs, which are seen to have promising prospects amid the current dynamics of energy economics and global supply chain developments. Pertamina emphasised the importance of building a competitive unconventional oil and gas development ecosystem, supported by attractive fiscal schemes, regulatory certainty, supply chain strengthening, and collaboration with global strategic partners that have technical and operational experience. “Pertamina also opens opportunities for partnerships on the company’s domestic oil and gas assets, while exploring potential collaborations on international assets. The discussions also covered strengthening merger and acquisition (M&A) strategies to bolster the portfolio and support global upstream oil and gas business growth,” said Deputy Director Oki Muraza of PT Pertamina (Persero), in the company’s written statement on Friday (8/5/2026). Currently, Pertamina has an expanding international portfolio, including overseas operations with production of around 200 thousand barrels of oil per day (KBOPD). In addition, Pertamina is also strengthening its participation in several strategic global and domestic projects, including plans for developing the Kutai Basin working area with Eni S.p.A., as well as the Abadi Masela Field development with INPEX Corporation and Petronas. Apache conveyed that its current international strategy focuses on asset growth that can provide sustainable value creation through an organic approach. Apache has experience in managing conventional onshore oil and gas assets in Egypt as well as developing operations in the Permian Basin region, United States. Pertamina itself has currently begun drilling using the Multi-Stage Fracturing approach as part of efforts to accelerate the increase in conventional oil and gas production in Indonesia and is also preparing to conduct horizontal appraisal well drilling for unconventional oil and gas. This cooperation exploration is part of Pertamina’s commitment to supporting the government’s Asta Cita agenda, particularly in strengthening national energy resilience through increased oil and gas production, technology strengthening, and expansion of global strategic partnerships to support the sustainability of Indonesia’s energy supply in the future.