Kutai Kartanegara – PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Sangasanga Field recorded positive results, with oil production reaching up to 520 barrels per day (bpd) from development well NKL-1183, located in Kutai Lama, Anggana Sub-district, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan. Drilling activities for Well NKL-1183 took place from December 14, 2025, to January 8, 2026. To date, Well NKL-1183 has demonstrated stable production performance, maintaining output above 400 bpd.

In accordance with field technical conditions, the determination of the initial well completion, or 1st pass completion, relied on the evaluation of technical data and inter-well correlation, enabling the production test to proceed and deliver favorable results. The estimated drilling cost for this well was approximately 76 percent of the budget, reflecting efficiency measures and cost optimization, as well as strong safety performance and quality of work. Drilling activities through to the production test phase were effectively completed within 26 days.

Senior Manager Subsurface Development & Planning Zona 9, Supriady, stated that one of the key success factors in determining the reservoir area was the integration of statistical and dynamic data in modeling the NKL field. “Remapping the oil reservoir layers by integrating static and dynamic data became the key to identifying untapped reservoir areas, forming the basis for proposing subsequent drilling well locations,” he explained. The primary drilling target of Well NKL-1183 was the B08 sandstone layer at a depth of 650–670 meters measured depth (mMD), which was

In addition, according to Supriady, a new approach targeting oil reservoirs that had been left behind for a considerable period due to previously substantial cumulative production still showed a high probability of yielding oil. “This well was drilled directionally, using a 700-horsepower rig operated by PT Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia (PDSI), reaching a final depth of 1,545 meters,” he added.

He further noted that the success of Well NKL-1183 has strengthened optimism for proposing additional development wells in the North Kutai Lama (NKL) field. The next operational stage involves continuing the production test and flowing the well at an optimal production rate. This aims to maintain reservoir quality and ensure sustainable well performance.

Senior Field Manager of PEP Sangasanga Field, Sigid Setiawan, stated that the well development and testing demonstrate PEP Sangasanga Field’s commitment to continued investment in exploitation activities. “We believe that investment in drilling new wells is necessary to add reserves, increase recovery, slow the rate of production decline, and maintain production levels to support national energy security,” he said.

Sigid added that the Company’s commitment goes beyond merely managing natural production decline, but also increasing production to support national energy security. “The successful initial production test of Well NKL-1183 is part of PEP Sangasanga Field’s efforts to discover and develop new reservoir potential within existing areas to support sustainable production and national energy security,” he concluded.

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Sangasanga Field is part of Zona 9 under Subholding Upstream Regional 3 Kalimantan, led by PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI). Through collaboration with SKK Migas, PEP Sangasanga Field conducts safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly upstream oil and gas operations and business activities in East Kalimantan in accordance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles to support the sustainability of national oil and gas production and realize #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. Further information about PHI–Regional 3 Kalimantan is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.