Shell and Kuwait's KUFPEC Conclude Joint Study on Five Indonesian Oil and Gas Blocks

The Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) has revealed that a joint study between Shell Plc and Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) on five oil and gas working areas has now entered the finalisation stage. Head of SKK Migas Djoko Siswanto stated that the joint study covers five blocks, comprising two offshore and three onshore working areas. “Yes, there are several, five joint studies, two offshore, three onshore if I’m not mistaken,” Djoko said at the House of Representatives building, quoted on Thursday (4/6/2026). Djoko further noted that the progress of the joint study is now in its final stages and is expected to be completed soon. “In finalisation, hopefully it will be finished quickly; the blocks have been auctioned and worked on,” he said. Previously, SKK Migas Deputy for Exploration, Development, and Working Area Management Rikky Rahmat Firdaus mentioned that last March, his team was invited directly by Shell to its headquarters to assure investors. Following the meeting, Shell subsequently attended the Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) convention and purchased data through the Membership Data Room (MDR). “The Head ordered us to invite Shell to Indonesia for the IPA event. We invited them back, and they verbally expressed an interest in re-entering Indonesia,” Rikky said at the SKK Migas office, quoted on Tuesday (22/7/2025). According to Rikky, proof of Shell’s interest in upstream oil and gas investment in Indonesia is evident, as the global giant purchased MDR data for US$30,000. As a result, his party aims to ensure Shell feels comfortable sharing the risks of investing in Indonesia. “And this is proven by Shell buying data through the MDR. So, they participated and bought the US$30,000 package, which has already been paid to the state to examine the opportunities,” he stated.