Mubadala Energy makes second “game-changing” natural gas discovery offshore Indonesia

May 13, 2024

(WO) – Mubadala Energy announced another “substantial” natural gas discovery from the Tangkulo-1 exploration well, drilled in South Andaman, about 65 km offshore North Sumatra, Indonesia. This back-to-back discovery, combined with the company's earlier discovery at Layaran-1, has the potential for over 2 Tcf of gas-in-place and positions South Andaman as one of the world’s most important natural gas plays

Source: Mubadala Energy

The natural gas discovery marks the second deepwater well operated by the company. Tangkulo-1 was drilled to a depth of 3,400 m in 1,200 m water depth, just a few months after another major discovery at the Layaran-1 well, also in South Andaman. 

The Tangkulo-1 well encountered 80 m of gas column in a good quality Oligocene sandstone reservoir confirmed through an extensive data gathering campaign that includes obtaining a full core of 72 m, wireline logging, sidewall core, pressure and fluid sampling.

Utilizing a new Drill Stem Test (DST) design, the well successfully flowed 47 MMcfd of excellent gas quality and 1,300 bbl of condensate. Although testing was constrained by testing facilities, the estimated well capacity is 80-100 MMcfd and over 2,000 bbl of condensate.

Mansoor Mohammed Al Hamed, CEO, Mubadala Energy, commented, “When added to our recent success at Layaran-1, this game-changing discovery promises to transform Indonesia’s and Southeast Asia’s energy landscape and demonstrates that South Andaman is one of the world’s most exciting energy plays.

By working with partners and harnessing our world class technical capabilities, I am confident we can realize the full potential of this block, in line with our commitment to support the government’s ambitious development timeframes. This news also strengthens our ability to play a proactive role in the energy transition through our gas biased strategy.”

With an 80% working interest in South Andaman, Mubadala Energy is the largest net acreage holder in the area. In line with company’s gas-biased strategy, Tangkulo-1 is an important pillar in the cluster’s development story, with the discovery unlocking further potential in the southern part of the block and indicating an additional multi-Tcf of prospective natural gas resources in nearby structures.

Mubadala Energy announced its first discovery in the cluster in Dec. 2023. The Layaran-1 exploration well, roughly 100 km offshore Indonesia, successfully flowed over 30 MMcfd of excellent gas quality, according to a company statement. 

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