HOUSTON, TEXAS (Editors at Energy Analytics Institute, 13.May.2025, Words: 460) — Eni started natural gas production at the Merakes east field, in the Kutei basin, offshore Indonesia.
The field is in the East Sepinggan block (Eni operates with a 85% working interest) and will contribute up to 100 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) of gas or approximately 18,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) to Eni’s production.
Merakes East is located in a water depth of 1,600m, approximately 10km east of the Merakes field. It is tied back via a subsea connection to the Jangkrik floating production unit (FPU) operated by Eni, situated around 50km away.
This startup is another example of fast track development as the field was brought on production approximately 2 years from the final investment decision (FID), Eni announced on 13 May 2025 in an official statement.
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.
The start-up of Merakes east is another important step of Eni’s broader strategy to valorize the considerable gas resources held in Indonesia’s prolific Kutei Basin, the Italian company said.
Along with the ongoing development of Maha field and the recent approval of the plans of development for the Northern bub and Gendalo-Gendang, the east Merakes production start up is the result of the close cooperation between Eni and SKK Migas, Indonesia’s upstream regulator and supervisor. It is consistent with the driver to positively impact the local content and to increase the utilization of available capacity at Bontang LNG plant while also ensuring additional gas volumes for domestic consumption, the company said.
Over the last few years, following significant exploration successes and acquisitions, Eni has positioned itself as the main operator of the Kutei basin and 1 of the key players in the Indonesia’s gas market. Eni expects to produce up to 2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of gas and 90,000 b/d of condensate with the start up of the North hub and the Gendalo-Gandang fields.
Eni has recently announced talks with Malaysia’s Petronas to establish a joint venture (JV) holding company to oversee selected upstream assets in Indonesia and Malaysia. This JV is expected to generate substantial synergies towards becoming a major LNG player in the region and will combine approximately 3 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) of reserves with an additional 10 bn boe of potential exploration upside.
Eni has been operating in Indonesia since 2001 and currently has a large portfolio including exploration, development, and production assets with a current production around 700 MMscf/d in the east Kalimantan.
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By Editors at Energy Analytics Institute. © 2025 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
