Jakarta, TAMBANG, PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI) ensures a gas supply of 111 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) for 10 years from the Mako Gas Field in the Duyung Working Area (WK), after the project officially reached the Final Investment Decision (FID). This assurance is a strategic step for PLN EPI in strengthening primary energy supply for generating needs, especially in Batam.
The Mako Field operated by West Natuna Exploration Limited (WNEL) is located off the coast of Natuna, Riau Islands, with a sea depth of around 80 meters. The FID was announced at the office of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas). Present at this activity were the Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Laode Sulaiman, Head of SKK Migas Djoko Siswanto, Chairman of Conrad Asia Energy Ltd, Peter Botten and CEO of Conrad Asia Energy Ltd Miltiadis Xynogalas as operator of the Duyung WK.
Then there is also the President Director of PT Nations Natuna Barat, Hashim Djojohadikusumo as partner of WK Duyung, Main Director of PLN EPI Rakhmad Dewanto and Director of Gas and Fuel PLN EPI, Erma Melina Sarahwati as gas buyer, developer and operator of the WNTS-Pemping pipeline and Main Director of PT BNI, Putrama Wahju Setyawan.
Head of SKK Migas, Djoko Siswanto, stated that the FID approval was an important milestone for increasing national gas production.
“This FID approval is an important milestone that confirms the project’s readiness to enter the construction and full execution phase in efforts to increase national gas lifting,” said Djoko
“This is a concrete step to encourage gas production and ensure the utilization of Natuna resources for domestic needs. This project has gone through a long process since the signing of the 2007 PSC, Discovery Gas in 2017, Plan of Development (POD) in 2019, Revised POD in 2022, Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (PJBG) in 2025, and FID in 2026, so it is hoped that production can start in 2027,” said Djoko.
PLN EPI President Director Rakhmad Dewanto welcomed the FID of the Mako field which will ensure gas supply in accordance with the PJBG signed between PLN EPI and WNEL on 11 July 2025. This PJBG is an integral part of the assignment of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to PLN through PLN EPI to build and operate the WNTS-Pemping pipeline.
“By achieving this FID, the target gas supply timeline in the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (PJBG) can be met to ensure gas supply for electricity, especially in the Batam and Central Sumatra regions. Electricity demand in this region is growing 12-15%/year and its fulfillment is dominated by Gas Generators. With the decline in gas supply from onshore Sumatra, supply from the Natuna region is really needed to support national energy security,” said Rakhmad
“In order to guarantee the security of primary energy supply for electricity in the Batam and Central Sumatra regions, PLN EPI, apart from having signed the PJBG with WK Duyung, is currently also building the WNTS-Pemping pipeline to enable the flow of gas from the Natuna region. With the WNTS-Pemping pipeline, the gas supply from WK Duyung will be the beginning of other gas supplies from the Natuna region,” added Rakhmad.
Meanwhile, the Director of Gas and Fuel at PLN EPI, Erma Melina Sarahwati, explained that the construction of the WNTS–Pemping pipeline, which had its groundbreaking on February 10 2026, is currently continuing according to plan.
“Construction of the WNTS-Pemping pipeline is currently continuing to progress and is targeted to start operating in July 2026. This infrastructure will be an important link in distributing gas from the Natuna area to the Batam electricity system,” said Erma.
He added that the existence of the pipeline is in line with the national energy transition strategy which encourages the use of energy that is cleaner, more efficient and sourced from within the country.
“The development of gas infrastructure not only strengthens national energy security, but also supports transition efforts towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy system,” concluded Erma.
Source: tambang.co.id
