Prabowo Inaugurates Construction of Abadi Masela Project in Maluku
President Prabowo Subianto has officially launched the groundbreaking of the Abadi Masela liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the Tanimbar Islands, Maluku. Construction of the project, the largest energy investment in Indonesian history, has therefore begun.
“And saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, on this afternoon, Thursday, 16 July 2026, by the grace of Almighty God, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby declare the groundbreaking of the Abadi Masela national strategic liquefied natural gas project officially commenced,” said Prabowo via video conference, broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Thursday (16/7/2026).
Prabowo recounted the long journey behind the development of the Masela gas project, which he said made it extremely important.
“Building a nation is hard work. Building a nation is a very long journey that requires all elements and all components,” he said.
“As such, the Abadi Masela National Strategic Project is a truly vital project. We have waited almost three decades, three dasawarsa, for this project,” he continued.
Prabowo demanded that the development must not be hindered, and expressed hope that construction would proceed as quickly as possible.
“Three decades, three dasawarsa the people have waited. Alhamdulillah, today we begin construction. And the development must not be obstructed. It must be completed in the shortest possible time,” he said.
The giant oil and gas project is located approximately 170–180 km southwest of the Tanimbar Islands Regency. It is being developed under a cost recovery PSC scheme by INPEX Masela Ltd as operator with a majority stake (65%), in strategic partnership with PT Pertamina (Persero) (20%) and Petronas (15%). The project’s investment value reaches USD 20.9 billion.
The project is designed to produce 9.5 million tonnes of LNG per year (MTPA), supply 150 MMSCFD of domestic pipeline gas, and yield around 35,000 barrels of condensate per day to support national energy needs.
After a development process spanning nearly three decades since the contract was signed in 1998, the project has finally entered the construction phase. As of early July 2026, front end engineering design (FEED) progress had reached 79.56 per cent, exceeding planned targets, while various strategic permits and the completion of major facility designs continue on schedule towards a final investment decision (FID) at the end of 2026.
Prabowo apologised for being unable to attend in person due to unavoidable commitments. He then declared himself indebted to the people of Maluku and promised to repay that debt at another time.
“I apologise; I had wanted to attend in person. But because there were various engagements I could not leave in the capital, I had to attend via this video conference, without diminishing my respect for you all,” he said.
“This is of course a debt I owe to the people of Maluku and these regencies. Insyaallah, I will repay that debt before long,” he continued.