Eni proves more gas in Kutei Basin offshore Indonesia

Eni has made a potentially large gas discovery offshore East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Initial analysis suggests the Konta-1 well in the Muara Bakau production sharing contract (PSC) in the Kutei Basin, 50 km from the coast, holds in-place reserves of 600 Bcf, with possible upside beyond 1 Tcf.

The well, drilled in 570 m of water and to a depth of 4,575 m, encountered gas in four Miocene sandstone reservoirs with good petrophysical properties.

A drillstem test on one of the reservoirs flowed up to 31 MMcf/d of gas and about 700 bbl/d of condensate. Results indicate potential for a multi-pool gas rate of up to 80 MMcf/d and 1,600 bbl/d of gas and condensate.

The 600-Bcf estimate covers the in-place volumes in the four reservoirs penetrated by the well, with the upside residing in further undrilled reservoir segments in the Konta area that have a similar gas signature.

Konta is close to existing offshore infrastructure and other discoveries, and options for a fast-track (possibly collective) development are already under review.

Results also strengthen the case for continued exploration drilling, with Eni planning four further wells in the Kutei Basin in 2026. The company also operates the Jangrik and Merakes fields nearby, with equity production of about 90,000 boe/d.

Saka Energi is the other partner in the Muara Bakau PSC.

From 2026, Muara Bakau will be managed by the Eni/Petronas joint venture (JV) company NewCo once the combination has closed. The JV will operate a total of 14 blocks in Indonesia and five in Malaysia, with plans to invest more than $15 billion in projects in the Southeast Asia region over the next five years.

These will include at least eight new field developments and drilling of 15 exploration wells, pursuing about 3 Bboe of fresh reserves and unlocking an estimated 10 Bboe of unrisked exploration potential, Eni said.