The Italian oil and gas company Eni has announced the start of gas production from the Merakes East field, located in the Kutei basin offshore Indonesia. The field will contribute up to 100 mcf/d (1 bcm/year) to Eni’s production. Eni is the operator of the block, in which it holds an 85% stake.
The Merakes East field is tied back via a subsea connection to the Jangkrik Floating Production Unit (FPU), also operated by Eni. After the initial processing onboard the FPU, the gas will be transferred via pipe network to supply the internal market and the Bontang liquefaction plant, which supplies LNG for both the internal market and for export.
In October 2024, the Indonesian government announced plans to increase oil and gas production in the country, by cutting regulations, reactivating idle wells and enhancing output at already producing assets. The government notably plans to reactivate 5,000 idle wells and increase output by 200 kb/d.