The spirit of continuous migas exploration at the eastern end of Indonesia

Then, the workers used a complete protective tool (APD) into unfamiliar views in the Sorong region, West Papua Province of Power known as “Oil&rdquo city;. The sunset in the Red Fruit Exploration well (BMR-001), Klasafet District, Sorong Regency, West Papua Province Power does not decrease the spirit of the Pertamina EP Papua Field workers to seek additional oil and gas production reserves (migas) as a commitment to support national energy availability.

The optimistic spirit sees the potential of migas exploration in the eastern end region of Indonesia should continue to be kept due to the national government in 2030 has the target to be able to meet the production of 1 million barrels per day (BOPD) oil and 12 billion cubic feet per day (BSCFD). 

Subholding Upstream Pertamina has a spirit “go to the east” realized through two well drilling explorations namely Kembo exploration well (KMO-001) and Markisa exploration well (MKS-001) along 2023, then proceed with drilling carried out this year, namely the Red Fruit Exploration well (BMR-001) in   the head region of the game. Red Fruit Exploration Well (BMR-001) became a new spirit at 2024 to drilling 18 wells of exploration and development in the 2023-2027 time rate in eastern Indonesia. 

Vice President Exploration Regional Indonesia Timur Subholding Upstream Pertamina Dedi Yusmen said that the exploration in the eastern region of Indonesia is expected to increase the reserve and needs of high migas in Indonesia. “The drilling of this exploration well is the form of Pertamina’s commitment in improving reserves and efforts to meet the higher needs of migas, along with the increasing industrial growth in West Papua Daya, as well as supporting the achievement of national migas production targets. Eastern Indonesia Regional Subholding Upstream Pertamina will continue to run a safe and superior migas operation so that it can contribute significantly and sustainable,” he said.

In addition, Subholding Upstream Pertamina assesses the territory of Eastern Indonesia is assessed to have a huge potential of natural resources. Based on data from Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), projection lifting oil and 2024 earth gas targeted can reach 2.057 million barrels equivalent oil per day, with oil lifting details 743 thousand barrels per day and petroleum gas 1.314 million barrels equivalent oil per day.

The strategic and abundant position of natural resources makes the region of the head of the game in Eastern Indonesia has a long history associated with the exploration of migas in the Dutch colonial era. Based on the Pertamina EP Papua Field data, in 1932 the company established in Den Haag, the Dutch Shell Oil Co. was first to do the exploration in the territory of the head of the game, but not finding results. Three years ago in 1935 Dutchch News-Guinea Petroleum Maatschappij (NNGPM) continued the exploration in the former concession area of Shell Oil Co. and the new one year later NNGPM found migas and then set up the Klamono Migas Production Court in Klamono District, Sorong Regency, West Papua Province Power.

For that, the Klamono Migas Production Court is recorded to be one of the most basics in Papua. Data from Pertamina EP Papua Field shows production figures in the production field of 772 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) per 10 June 2024.

With the history of the exploration of migas, Subholding Upstream Pertamina also continues to keep the forest in the territory of West Papua Province Power which has a area of 38.820,90 Km2. Pertamina EP Papua Field which cooperates with the Government as well as non profit organization to accompany the management of sustainable forest based indigenous peoples in the form of special interest tourism in Kampung Adat Malasigi, Klayili District, Sorong Regency, West Papua Daya. Visitors   can enjoy biodiversity, natural resources of forest and cultural hospitality of the original tribe Sorong, Moi tribe. 

This special interest tour is carried out as the efforts of the management of the Malasigi village forest in lestari and sustainable that has already received the recognition of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia through the publication of the Decree of Forest Management of the Village Number SK.8557/MENLHK-PSKL/PKPS/PSL.0/8/2023, which is directly submitted by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo. The decision letter indicates that Malasigi village has the right to fully manage the forest area in the village area. 

Malasigi village is the only village in Klayili District that survives the prosperity of land function. With the companion, Malasigi village is expected to be a pilot village that relies on ecotourism as a income and society can be empowered and independently without damaging forests.

Photo and text: Erlangga Bregas Prakoso