Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI) has secured a gas supply of 111 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) for the next 10 years following the official Final Investment Decision (FID) for the gas project at the Duyung Working Area. The announcement was made in Jakarta on 5 March 2026.
The supply will come from the Mako Gas Field, located offshore near Natuna in Riau Islands. The field is operated by West Natuna Exploration Limited (WNEL) and lies at a depth of approximately 80 meters below sea level.
The FID announcement took place at the office of SKK Migas and was attended by several key stakeholders, including Director General of Oil and Gas Laode Sulaiman, Head of SKK Migas Djoko Siswanto, Chairman of Conrad Asia Energy Ltd Peter Botten, and CEO Miltiadis Xynogalas. Also present were Hashim Djojohadikusumo, President Director of PT Nations Natuna Barat, PLN EPI President Director Rakhmad Dewanto, and Gas and Fuel Director Erma Melina Sarahwati.
Djoko Siswanto said the FID approval represents an important milestone for increasing national gas production.
“Approval of this FID marks an important milestone that confirms the project’s readiness to enter the construction and full execution phase in efforts to increase national gas lifting,” he stated.
The project has progressed through a long development process, beginning with the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) signed in 2007, the gas discovery in 2017, the Plan of Development (POD) in 2019, a POD revision in 2022, the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (PJBG) in 2025, and finally the FID in 2026. Production from the field is expected to begin in 2027.
PLN EPI President Director Rakhmad Dewanto welcomed the decision, emphasizing that the project will help secure gas supply for electricity generation, particularly in the Batam region and parts of central Sumatra.
“With the FID achieved, the gas supply timeline agreed in the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement can be fulfilled. Electricity demand in Batam and Central Sumatra is growing by 12–15 percent annually and is largely supported by gas-fired power plants,” he explained.
To support gas distribution from Natuna, PLN EPI is also developing the WNTS–Pemping pipeline, which will transport gas from the Natuna region to Batam’s power system. The pipeline project, which began construction on 10 February 2026, is targeted to start operations in July 2026.
According to Erma Melina Sarahwati, the pipeline will play a crucial role in ensuring a stable gas supply for the electricity sector while supporting Indonesia’s energy transition strategy.
“The development of this gas infrastructure not only strengthens national energy security but also supports the transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy system,” she said. (*)
