Prabowo Virtually Attends Masela Block Groundbreaking

President Prabowo Subianto attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abadi Masela Field project, also known as the Masela Block, virtually from the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, 16 July 2026. The Abadi Masela liquefied natural gas (LNG) National Strategic Project (PSN) is located in the Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku. “I apologise, I originally wanted to attend in person, but due to various events at the centre that I could not leave, I am forced to attend via this video conference, without diminishing my respect for all of you,” Prabowo stated from the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday. Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the groundbreaking marks the start of one of the largest energy investments in Indonesia’s history. “It also serves as an important milestone in strengthening national energy security and promoting equitable development up to the eastern region of Indonesia,” Prasetyo said in a statement on Thursday. The LNG Abadi Masela project is developed by INPEX Masela Ltd. in partnership with Pertamina and Petronas, with an investment value of approximately US$20.9 billion. The project is designed to produce 9.5 million tonnes of LNG per annum (MTPA), channel 150 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of domestic piped gas, and yield around 35,000 barrels of condensate per day to support national energy needs. A study by the Institute for Economic and Social Research at the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Economics and Business (LPEM FEB UI) estimates the project will contribute approximately US$137.9 billion to the national gross domestic product (GDP) until 2055. The project is also predicted to increase state and regional revenues, create around 12,000 direct jobs during the construction phase, and help reduce poverty and unemployment, particularly in Maluku Province. The Abadi Masela LNG project is the first LNG project in Indonesia to integrate carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology from the development stage. “After a development process spanning nearly three decades since the contract was signed in 1998, this project has finally entered the construction phase,” Prasetyo said. As of early July 2026, the front-end engineering design (FEED) progress had reached 79.56 percent, exceeding the planned target, while various strategic permits and the completion of main facility designs are proceeding on schedule towards a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2026.