Prabowo to Inaugurate Construction of Masela Block Gas Project

President Prabowo Subianto will officially commence the construction of the Abadi Masela gas field, also known as the Masela Block. The groundbreaking ceremony for the project, located in the Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku, is scheduled for Thursday, 16 July 2026. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi confirmed the plan, stating that after years of stagnation, the project is finally moving forward. He noted it is a significant achievement for the Indonesian people, though he could not confirm whether the President would attend the ceremony in person or virtually. The Masela Block is a national strategic project (PSN) comprising a giant natural gas field in the Arafura Sea, Maluku. Its value is estimated at 19.8 billion US dollars, or approximately Rp 357.84 trillion. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the block covers an area of roughly 4,291.35 km², located in the Arafura Sea about 800 km east of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, or 400 km north of Darwin, Australia, with sea depths ranging from 300 to 1,000 metres. The project is expected to produce 1,600 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMSCFD), equivalent to 9.5 million tonnes of LNG per year, along with 150 million standard cubic feet of piped gas per day and approximately 35,000 barrels of condensate per day. The operational target is set for the fourth quarter of 2029. The Masela Block was previously held by Japan’s Inpex Masela Ltd as the operator with a 65 percent stake, and Shell Upstream Overseas Services Ltd with 35 percent. Following Shell’s exit, PT Pertamina Hulu Energi, through its subsidiary PT Pertamina Hulu Energi Masela, partnered with PETRONAS Masela Sdn. Bhd. to successfully complete the acquisition of Shell’s 35 percent participating interest. The Maluku Regional Police have confirmed that all security aspects for President Prabowo’s visit to the Tanimbar Islands on 16 July 2026 are in place. Maluku Police Chief Inspector General Dadang Hartanto stated that the groundbreaking is not just a state agenda but a strategic momentum to strengthen national energy security and boost investor confidence in Indonesia.