March 12, 2026 | 10:15 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas has made its first hydrocarbon discovery at the Barokah-1 exploration well in the North Ketapang Production Sharing Contract (PSC), off the coast of East Java. This finding adds to the promising list of oil and gas potential in the region.
Ahmad Faisal Bakar, Petronas' Vice President of Exploration, stated that the discovery at the Barokah-1 well reinforces the company's oil and gas exploration in East Java, particularly in the northern region of Madura Island, which is the company's operational focus.
Ahmad mentioned that the exploration results would help the company deepen its understanding of the hydrocarbon basin potential in the area, while also reinforcing Petronas' commitment to develop sustainable energy opportunities in East Java.
"This encouraging result deepens our understanding of the basin’s prospectivity and strengthens PETRONAS’ drive for disciplined growth and to mature opportunities that can contribute to East Java’s durable energy landscape," Ahmad said, as quoted from a press release on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
The Barokah-1 exploration well was drilled by Petronas' subsidiary, Petronas North Ketapang Sdn. Bhd. The drilling activity commenced on November 30, 2025 and reached a depth of approximately 3,315.3 meters TVDSS (true vertical depth subsea).
In this project, Petronas acted as the operator with a 51 percent participating interest, while Earthon North Ketapang Pte. Ltd. held a 34 percent participating interest, and PT Pertamina Hulu Energi North Ketapang owned 15 percent.
To ascertain the reserve size and production potential, the company will proceed with further technical studies and evaluations of the drilling results.
Meanwhile, Djoko Siswanto, the Head of Indonesia's Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas), positively welcomed the hydrocarbon discovery at the Barokah-1 well. According to Djoko, this finding reinforces oil and gas potential in East Java.
SKK Migas affirmed its willingness to support future processes towards swift entry to production phase and contribute to the increase in national oil lifting, as well as strengthen Indonesia's energy resilience.
Djoko also mentioned that this discovery comes amid the development of the Hidayah Field in the North Madura II Working Area, which reached a final investment decision in October 2024. The field was previously discovered in 2021 and is currently being prepared for the development phase.
In addition to operating in the North Ketapang Working Area, Petronas also serves as the operator in several other working areas offshore East Java, such as Ketapang, North Madura II, and Serpang. The company also manages the Bobara Working Area offshore West Papua and is a partner in several other production sharing contracts scattered across Sumatra, the Natuna Sea, East Java, and the Eastern Indonesia region.
Read: Eni, Petronas to Combine Upstream Assets in Indonesia, Malaysia
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Petronas Gas Pipeline Explosion in Malaysia Injures Over 100
2 April 2025
A gas pipeline network operated by Malaysia's state-owned oil and gas company, Petronas, experienced a leak, resulting in a massive explosion.
Eni, Petronas to Combine Upstream Assets in Indonesia, Malaysia
27 Februari 2025
Italian energy group Eni and Malaysia's state energy firm Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) signed a deal to create a joint venture.
Over 200 Injured in Malaysia Trains Collision
25 Mei 2021
More than 200 people are injured in Malaysia when two metro light rail trains collide in an underground tunnel.
Jokowi, Malaysia's King Seek Ties in Pertamina and Petronas
27 Agustus 2019
Minister Retno Marsudi said President Joko Widodo or Jokowi and Malaysia's King canvassed the cooperation development of Pertamina and Petronas.
Pertamina, Petronas Join Forces to Develop Oil and Gas Business
26 Februari 2019
Pertamina and Malaysia's Petronas have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the oil and gas business.
Oil - Gas Task Force Offers Petronas Investment in Petrochemistry
1 Januari 1970
Indonesia urgently needs an integrated large petrochemical
industry just as that of Petronas that is able to produce a
wide range of chemicals.
