Bunyu Island– PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Bunyu Field has achieved a new milestone with the first-ever application of horizontal well technology in drilling operations for the B-243HZ well in the Bunyu Field area, North Kalimantan. From April 28th to June 12th, 2024, the drilling successfully increased PEP Bunyu Field's production by 200 barrels of oil per day (bopd). PEP Bunyu Field also collaborates with PT Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia (PDSI) in this drilling activities on Rig PDSI #11.2 /N80B-M.

Acting Senior Manager of Bunyu Field Brando Sitinjak explained that the application of horizontal drilling technology aligns with the company's commitment to enhancing field productivity efficiently through best practices, innovation, and technology that improve safety, speed, and drilling costs.

"The drilling of new production wells is part of our work plan and base business performance management strategy to mitigate the rate of natural production decline," Brando said.

According to him, the horizontal drilling of the B-243HZ well in the Bunyu Field was quite challenging and high-risk but was completed with zero incidents.

Manager of Subsurface Development Area 2 Zona 10, Budi Setiawan, expressed optimism that the success of this first horizontal well drilling will encourage the company to explore its application in developing other wells in the Bunyu area. "The first success at the Bunyu structure is expected to exploit subsurface potential while also opening up strategic development opportunities for the Bunyu structure in the future, aiming to optimize hydrocarbon production that has not yet been tapped through vertical wells," he explained.

Similar sentiments were echoed by the Manager of Operations & Surface Facilities (OSF) Zona 10, Hery Lesmana. "We believe that the application of innovation and technology plays a crucial role in maintaining the recovery and production levels of mature oil and gas fields. We hope that the excellent collaboration among teams in Zona 10 Subholding Upstream Pertamina can increase the company's oil and gas reserves, thus supporting the sustainability of oil and gas production and national energy security," Henry added.

Meanwhile, Manager of Drilling Zona 10 Subholding Upstream Pertamina, Ted S Pelawi, stated that the success of the horizontal drilling activity for the B-243HZ well in the Bunyu Field is the result of cross-functional collaboration within the company, including teams from Drilling, Subsurface, Bunyu Field workers, Operations & Surface Facility (OSF), Communications Relations & CID (CRC), and other related functions. "This demonstrates the company's ability to address technical and non-technical challenges in enhancing oil and gas production through efficient and safe drilling operations," he emphasized.

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Bunyu Field operates under Subholding Upstream Regional 3, managed by PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), in line with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. In collaboration with SKK Migas, PEP Bunyu Field, along with its subsidiaries and other PHI affiliates, continues to innovate and apply technology to produce safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly energy, aiming to realize #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. More information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.