Pertamina urges ASEAN cooperation on upstream oil and gas assets

PT Pertamina (Persero) has called for closer cooperation among ASEAN countries to improve the management of upstream oil and gas assets, sustain production and pursue exploration opportunities. The company outlined its position at the 51st ASEAN Council on Petroleum and Energy (ASCOPE) meeting in Sanur, Bali.

ASCOPE Secretary in Charge Henricus Herwin said member countries shared difficulties in keeping decades-old fields economically viable, developing exploration prospects and decommissioning facilities. He said exchanging data and experience could help members make better decisions, including on maintaining production and closing facilities safely and cost-effectively.

Indonesia is seeking potential resources of 2.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent from exploration in 2026, according to Rikky Rahmat Firdaus, SKK Migas deputy for exploration, development and working area management. He said 12 high-impact wells were projected to account for around 80 per cent of the pre-drill resource target, with potential of about 2.2 BBOE.

Rikky said Pertamina subsidiaries and entities managed 5 of those 12 wells. The resource potential would need to be established through drilling and further technical evaluation.

ASCOPE's Exploration and Production Task Force brings together stakeholders from 11 ASEAN countries to discuss upstream operations, regulation and planning. Separately, Lemigas head Ikhsan Kiat said regional cooperation should extend beyond energy infrastructure and markets to developing workforce skills. He said competent personnel were essential to managing natural resources and physical infrastructure.