Masela Gas Megaproject in Maluku to Absorb 12,000 Workers

The development of the Abadi Field in the Masela Block is projected to provide significant economic and fiscal benefits for Indonesia, according to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. The project is expected to boost state revenue with projected direct income reaching US$37.8 billion over the construction and operational periods. It is also estimated to generate indirect tax revenue of approximately US$6.43 billion. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abadi LNG Project in Maluku, Bahlil reported that the megaproject would create around 12,000 direct jobs during the construction and operational stages. He added that the number of indirect jobs created could be three times that figure, based on economic theory. The Abadi Field in the Masela Block is a deep-sea gas field with the largest reserves in Indonesia, located approximately 160 kilometres off the coast of Yamdena Island in the Arafura Sea at depths of 400 to 800 metres. The production sharing contract, originally signed in 1998 and extended until 2055, has the potential to produce 9.5 million metric tonnes per annum of LNG and 150 million standard cubic feet per day of piped gas. The field is also estimated to produce 35,000 barrels of condensate per day.