Tanjung Pinang – PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) has successfully conducted the Load Out and Sail Away ceremony of the Topside, marking a significant milestone in the Manpatu Oil and Gas Field Development Project, which is targeted to be onstream in the first quarter of 2027, with initial drilling planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. The ceremony took place at PT Meindo Elang Indah's fabrication facility in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, on 17 April 2026.

The Load Out and Sail Away of the Topside is a continuation of the previous phase, namely the Jacket Sail Away, which was completed on 8 April 2026. This stage involves high-risk and high-precision operations that require full readiness in terms of technical execution, coordination, and safety. PHM’s successful completion of this phase reflects the project’s readiness to enter the offshore installation phase, with a design capacity of up to 80 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD), supporting increased gas and condensate production.

The Topside, weighing approximately 1,000 tons, was transported by cargo barge over approximately 1,930 kilometers to the project site offshore Balikpapan, with an estimated travel time of 15 days. The Topside represents the upper structure of an offshore oil and gas platform, functioning as the central hub for processing facilities, drilling operations, control systems, utilities, and worker accommodation.

The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including the Vice Governor of East Kalimantan, Seno Aji; Sub-Coordinator for Oil and Gas Operational Goods Utilization at the Directorate General of Oil and Gas, Gesit Prawatiningsih; Acting Head of Project Management Division of SKK Migas, Elfan Yusridha; SKK Migas Representative for Kalimantan and Sulawesi, Damar Setiawan; and PHM General Manager, Setyo Sapto Edi. Also present were representatives from local authorities in Tanjung Pinang, including Wan Affandi representing the Head of the Bintan Free Trade Zone and Free Port Authority, and Syahrir representing the Head of the Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office Type Madya Pabean B Tanjung Pinang. The presence of these stakeholders reflects strong synergy and collaboration in supporting sustainable upstream oil and gas operations.

In his remarks, Vice Governor of East Kalimantan, Seno Aji, stated that the Manpatu Project is a significant contributor to maintaining oil and gas lifting in the East Kalimantan region. He also appreciated the involvement of more than 360 skilled workers from East Kalimantan, who were deployed to the fabrication facility in Tanjung Pinang to work on the Manpatu Project. “At a time when layoffs are occurring in several companies in East Kalimantan, PHM has made a meaningful contribution to absorbing skilled labor from the region through its contractor, PT Meindo Elang Indah,” he said.

PHM General Manager, Setyo Sapto Edi, expressed confidence that strong collaboration between the Government, the Company, partners, communities, and all Engineering, Procurement, Supply, Construction, and Commissioning (EPSCC) contractors is the key to the project’s success. “The completion of the Topside fabrication phase is the result of hard work and strong collaboration among all teams, supported by various stakeholders,” he stated.

Setyo also reaffirmed the Company’s commitment to sustainable investment, reserve addition, and production optimization from mature fields. “The Manpatu Development Project is a tangible contribution to national energy resilience. Amid the challenges of increasingly mature production fields, we are required to innovate, move swiftly, and maintain operational excellence continuously,” he emphasized.

The Manpatu Development Project is categorized as a fast-track project. It originated from the discovery of the Manpatu-1X exploration well in 2022. The Front End Engineering Design (FEED) phase was conducted from 2023 to 2024. Prior to entering the construction phase, project progress was marked by the First Cut of Steel ceremony on 16 May 2025. The project scope includes the fabrication and installation of a new platform, consisting of a jacket and piles with a total weight of approximately 1,380 tons, a Topside weighing approximately 1,000 tons, and modifications to an existing platform. Additionally, the project involves installing a 14-inch subsea pipeline spanning approximately 2.5 kilometers, along with complex, high-risk subsea operations. Overall, the project will include the drilling of 11 development wells.

On a separate occasion, PHI President Director Sunaryanto emphasized the importance of the Manpatu Project in realizing PHI’s commitment, along with its subsidiaries, including PHM, to continue investing in exploration and exploitation activities. “The Manpatu Development Project is not only about increasing production, but also about sustaining energy supply and strengthening national energy resilience, particularly from the Kalimantan region. Its success demonstrates our ability to overcome industry challenges through collaboration, innovation, and strong commitment,” said Anto, as he is commonly known.

He further stressed that occupational safety remains the top priority at every stage of the project. “With more than two million safe man-hours without Lost Time Incident (LTI) recorded as of March 2026, PHI, through its subsidiary PHM, is committed to consistently maintaining Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) standards until the entire project is completed,” he stated.

According to him, strong performance in health and safety reflects the Company’s readiness to execute projects safely, efficiently, and in an integrated manner. “The energy we produce today is the foundation for the nation’s future. Through every step we take, we are igniting hope for Indonesia,” he concluded.

PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) in zona 8, managing upstream oil and gas operations and businesses in accordance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the Mahakam Working Area, East Kalimantan. As a Production Sharing Contract Contractor for the Indonesian Government, represented by SKK Migas, PHM, along with other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates, continues to implement innovations and technological applications to deliver safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly energy to support the sustainability of national oil and gas production and realize #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. More information about PHM and PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.