Indonesia awards five oil and gas blocks in energy security drive

JAKARTA, April 16, 2025 – The government of Indonesia has awarded five oil and gas blocks as part of its strategy to bolster energy security and reverse declining production levels, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The report, citing the country’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said the Gaea and Gaea II blocks in West Papua were awarded to a consortium of eight firms, including Enquest Petroleum Production Malaysia, BP Exploration Indonesia and CNOOC Southeast Asia.

Estimated resources in Gaea stand at 9.6 billion barrels of oil or 2.03 tcm (71.8 tcf) of gas, while Gaea II is believed to hold 8.5 billion barrels of oil or 994 bcm (35.1 tcf) of gas.

The Binaiya block, located offshore Maluku, was granted to PT Pertamina Hulu Energy alongside Malaysia’s PC North Mandura II and Korea’s SK Earthon. It holds estimated resources of 6.7 billion barrels of oil and 425 bcm (15 tcf) of gas.

PC North Madura II and SK Earthon, joined by Japan’s INPEX Corporation, were also awarded the Sepang block offshore East Java. Meanwhile, Armada Etan secured the Kojo block in the Makassar Strait.

“The government hopes these auction winners will be able to contribute to Indonesia’s energy security ahead,” senior official Tri Winarno said during the awards announcement.

Indonesia plans to offer around 60 oil and gas blocks in the coming years to boost reserves and reduce reliance on imports.

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