Petronas confirms discovery offshore East Java

JAKARTA, March 13, 2026 – Petronas has confirmed its first hydrocarbons discovery at the Barokah-1 exploration well offshore East Java in Indonesia, the company announced on Thursday.

Located within the North Ketapang PSC, Barokah-1 was spudded on 30 November 2025 and drilled to a true vertical depth of 3,315.3 metres. Petronas said it would carry out further studies to assess the result and determine the discovery’s commercial potential.

“The Barokah-1 discovery reinforces the compelling exploration potential we continue to see in the Northern Madura region of East Java. This encouraging result deepens our understanding of the basin’s prospectivity and strengthens Petronas’ drive for disciplined growth,” said Petronas vice-president of exploration Ahmad Faisal Bakar

Petronas operates the North Ketapang PSC with a 51% interest, alongside block partners Earthon North Ketapang, with 34%, and PT Pertamina Hulu Energi North Ketapang, with 15%. The block spans approximately 3,132 square kilometres in water depths of up to 100 metres and was secured by Petronas in the second round of the Indonesia Petroleum Bid Round 2021.

In addition to North Ketapang, Petronas operates the Ketapang, North Madura II and Serpang offshore PSCs in East Java. North Madura II contains the Hidayah development, which reached a positive FID in 2024 following an oil discovery in 2021. Petronas also operates the Bobara PSC offshore West Papua, and holds interest stakes in six other onshore and offshore PSCs in East Java, East Indonesia, the Natuna Sea and Sumatra.

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