Mubadala Petroleum-backed exploration finds huge gas reserves in Indonesia

A 390-foot gas column find has been confirmed at the Timpan-1 exploration well 150 kilometers offshore North Sumatra in Indonesia. These findings are ‘especially important’ as it indicated that the adjacent Andaman I and South Andaman fields will also include under-explored resources.

The exploration well – Timpan-1 – is operated by Harbour Energy, which conducted the drilling and holds a 40% stake in the field. The well discovered a good gas quality column with the well test reaching a rate of 27 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd/d) and 1,884 bbl/d of condensate.

These findings are especially important as it indicates that the adjacent Andaman I and South Andaman fields will also include under-explored resources.

As the largest net acreage holder in the area, having secured the core of the underexplored proven basin in the Andaman region, the positive outcome from the Timpan-1 discovery will support de-risking multi Tcf prospects and provide a foundation for future organic growth in line with the company’s gas-biased strategy,” Mubadala Petroleum said in a statement on Wednesday.

Strong Partnership

Mansoor Mohamed Al Hamed, CEO Mubadala Petroleum, said: “Our long-term strategy in Indonesia not only demonstrates our commitment to the market but underlines the strength of our partnerships.”

“With demand for gas increasing across the Southeast Asia region, this discovery not only supports our gas-biased strategy but has the potential to help meet energy demand in this dynamic and fast-growing market,” he said.

Mubadala Petroleum-operated Ruby Gas field in Indonesia has reached a cumulative gas production of over 250 billion cubic feet. It is now in a late-life stage production phase. This is why the latest discoveries have the potential to deliver significant development opportunities for our existing business in the longer term, he added.

Mubadala Petroleum is the owner of the largest concession area in the Andaman region. The positive result obtained from the Timpan-1 discovery will support reducing the risks associated with undiscovered resources that may exceed several trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and providing the necessary basis for achieving future growth, in line with the company’s biased natural gas strategy.

The well, in a water depth of 4,245 feet (1293.8 meters). was drilled to a total vertical depth of 13,818 feet (4211.7 meters) subsea.

Encouraging Results

Meanwhile, Harbour Energy said that the well encountered a 390-foot (118.8m) gas column in a high net-to-gross, fine-grained sandstone reservoir with associated permeability of 1-10 mD. A full data acquisition program has been completed including wireline logging, 240 feet of core recovered and a drill stem test.”

Gary Selbie, President Director, Indonesia, said that they were encouraged by the result of this play-opening exploration well and potentially building on our successful operating history in Indonesia. 

“We look forward to working with our partners and the Government of Indonesia to determine the potential for commercialization of this important discovery.”

The Timpan-1 exploration well was drilled on the Andaman II license offshore North Sumatra, Indonesia. The partners in the license are Premier Oil Andaman Limited, a Harbour Energy company (40% percent, operated), BP (30%), and Mubadala Petroleum (30%).