Pertamina Drills New Wells in Makassar Strait to Maintain Indonesia's Oil and Gas Production
JAKARTA – PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT) is preparing to drill two infill wells at the Kerindingan Field, offshore in the Makassar Strait, East Kalimantan, as part of efforts to sustain oil and gas production from the long-operating field.
The development drilling will be conducted from February to March 2026 as part of a mature field management strategy to optimise the potential of remaining reserves.
PHKT General Manager Darmapala stated that the company continues to invest in exploitation activities to maintain production performance of oil and gas fields that have entered the mature phase.
“To maintain project economics, we apply best engineering practices in every drilling activity,” Darmapala said in a statement on Monday (9 March 2026).
“This approach ensures that safety remains our top priority, whilst improving drilling speed and cost efficiency,” he added.
Since initial development, drilling activities at the field have been conducted in phases. As of July 2025, 34 wells have been drilled with significant cumulative production achievements.
Currently, the Kerindingan Field is one of 14 oil and gas fields managed by PHKT.
Infill wells are additional wells drilled between existing wells to increase reserve recovery and optimise production from reservoirs that still hold potential.
The development concept focuses on producing reserves at the crest of the structure that could not be monetised through existing wells.
“The plan to drill two infill wells represents a continuation of the success of previous drilling operations,” Darmapala said.
Through data-based technical approaches and application of best operational standards, the company seeks to maintain efficiency whilst ensuring safe operations.
“PHKT is committed to continuously optimising the exploitation of oil and gas potential in mature fields in line with the company’s vision and mission to become Indonesia’s leading national energy company in supporting sustainable oil and gas production to ensure energy availability and resilience,” Darmapala concluded.
PHKT is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) managing upstream oil and gas operations and business in the East Kalimantan & Attaka work area in East Kalimantan.
In conducting its operational activities, the company applies Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Together with SKK Migas and other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates, PHKT continues to develop innovation and technology applications to produce safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly energy to support national energy resilience.