Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, revealed that the two oil and gas (O&G) projects inaugurated on Friday, May 16, 2025, by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, required a total investment of US$ 600 million, equivalent to IDR 9.87 trillion (assuming an exchange rate of IDR 16,454 per US dollar).

The projects in question are the Forel-Bronang and Terubuk Fields, located offshore in the Natuna Sea, Riau Islands. These sites are managed by the Cooperation Contract Contractor (KKKS) Medco E&P Natuna Ltd, a private Indonesian company engaged in oil and gas exploration and production.

Bahlil stated that these projects, situated 60 miles from the mainland, also generated approximately 2,300 jobs during the construction phase.

“The total investment is around US$ 600 million, and it created employment opportunities for about 2,300 people during construction,” he explained at the inauguration ceremony held in the Natuna Sea, Friday (May 16, 2025).

He emphasized that these fields, among the farthest from shore in Indonesia, carry strategic importance because the Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel used in the project was entirely built with 100% local content (TKDN).

“This project holds strategic value because it is fully owned by Indonesian nationals, and all its workers are Indonesian citizens. Even the FPSO was built domestically with 100% local content. This is the pride of the nation,” he added.

Bahlil also expressed optimism that production from both fields will help meet the country’s oil and gas lifting target by 2030.

“As an additional note, beyond producing 20,000 barrels of oil per day, this block also generates 60 MMSCFD of gas,” he stated.

The Forel and Terubuk Fields are located within the South Natuna Sea Block B PSC area, offshore in the Natuna Sea, Riau Islands.

Specifically, the Forel Field has an oil production capacity of up to 10,000 barrels per day (bpd), with the potential to increase to 13,500 bpd. The scope of the project includes the construction of the Marlin Natuna FPSO, two production platforms, and the drilling of seven wells.

Forel Field began producing oil on May 12, 2025, and employs approximately 1,500 workers.

The total investment in Forel Field is reported to be US$ 282 million or IDR 4.64 trillion. This includes US$ 135 million (IDR 2.22 trillion) for facility development and US$ 147 million (IDR 2.42 trillion) for well drilling.

Meanwhile, the Terubuk Field consists of two main facilities: Terubuk L (WHP-L) and Terubuk M (WHP-M). It began initial production on April 24, 2025, with an output of 4,000 bpd. Production from Terubuk M is scheduled to commence in October 2026.

The total oil output from the Terubuk Field is projected to reach 6,500 bpd, along with potential gas production of 60 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD).

The Terubuk project involves more than 650 workers and has a total investment value of US$ 326 million or IDR 5.36 trillion. Of that, US$ 182 million (IDR 2.99 trillion) is allocated for facility development, while US$ 144 million (IDR 2.37 trillion) goes toward well drilling.