Significant Unconventional Oil and Gas Discovery
PT Pertamina (Persero), Indonesia's state-owned energy company, has announced a substantial breakthrough in the Rokan Working Area (WK Rokan) in Riau, identifying potential unconventional oil and gas reserves estimated at up to 724 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE). This discovery, revealed during a hearing with Commission VI of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, represents Pertamina's largest finding in the past decade.
Pertamina Vice President Director Oki Muraza stated that this significant volume originates from just one geological structure, indicating the potential for even greater reserves within Indonesia's unconventional resources. The discovery is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the nation's energy production capacity amidst declining output from legacy fields.
Details of the Discovery and Extraction Challenges
The newly identified reserves consist of unconventional oil and gas, which are hydrocarbons found in fine-grained, low-permeability reservoir rocks. These include types such as shale oil, shale gas, tight sand oil, tight sand gas, coal bed methane, and methane hydrate.
Extracting these resources requires advanced, non-conventional techniques, including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Pertamina is actively collaborating with technology partners from the United States to optimize the extraction process and maximize the recovery of these reserves.
Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR), a subsidiary of Pertamina, had previously confirmed a discovery at the Gulamo Det-1 non-conventional well in Rokan Hilir, which was drilled in July 2023. This well, along with the Kelok well, contributed to the assessment of the Rokan block's unconventional potential.
Strategic Importance for Indonesia's Energy Future
The Rokan block, now operated by Pertamina since August 2021 after taking over from Chevron Pacific Indonesia, is historically one of Indonesia's most productive oil regions. It features super-giant fields like Minas and Duri, and has cumulatively produced over 11 billion barrels of oil between 1951 and 2021.
This latest discovery underscores the block's continued strategic importance for Indonesia's energy security goals. Riau Governor Abdul Wahid welcomed the finding, highlighting its potential economic benefits for the province.
The development of these unconventional reserves aligns with Indonesia's broader efforts to meet national oil production targets and secure its energy supply. Pertamina President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri emphasized that this discovery is a key operational milestone for the company in the Rokan working area.
Pertamina's Broader Energy Initiatives
Beyond this significant oil and gas find, Pertamina is also actively pursuing various green energy initiatives. These include:
- Producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a rate of 9,000 barrels per day.
- Converting refineries to co-process waste cooking oil for low-emission aviation fuel production.
- Developing a hydrogen pilot plant in Lampung.
- Expanding geothermal, ethanol-based fuel, and logistical infrastructure projects.
These parallel efforts demonstrate Pertamina's commitment to a diversified energy strategy, balancing conventional resource development with sustainable energy solutions for Indonesia's future.
6 Comments
Manolo Noriega
It's impressive that Pertamina found such a large reserve, and it will certainly help meet energy demands. However, relying on unconventional oil extraction means a significant environmental footprint, which contradicts their stated green energy initiatives.
Fuerza
Great job, Pertamina! Securing our energy future is crucial, and this discovery proves we can do it.
Manolo Noriega
Securing 724 million barrels of oil equivalent is a massive achievement for Pertamina and Indonesia's energy independence. However, the details about requiring advanced techniques like fracking mean we need robust regulations and transparent oversight to prevent environmental damage and water contamination.
Ongania
The economic benefits for Riau and the nation are clear from this massive discovery. Still, the focus on unconventional oil and gas, with its known environmental challenges, seems to divert resources and attention from the equally important green energy projects Pertamina is also pursuing.
Manolo Noriega
This find provides a much-needed increase in domestic oil production, reducing import reliance. Yet, the article mentions collaboration with US tech for extraction, which raises questions about technology transfer and potential long-term foreign dependence for these complex methods.
ZmeeLove
Unconventional means more pollution. This isn't a breakthrough, it's a disaster waiting to happen.