The Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, has encouraged the Italian company Eni to exploit the substantial gas reserves in the Makassar Strait. This new gas project holds over 10 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of reserves, with the North Ganal Block containing 4.1 TCF and the Indonesia Deepwater Development (IDD) Project, which includes the Rapak and Ganal Blocks, comprising 6.3 TCF. Arifin highlighted the significant progress made by Eni in developing the Makassar Strait gas fields. "Eni is already present in Marakes, has acquired Chevron's IDD, and is now advancing in the North Ganal region," he noted on 2 August 2024. The ongoing projects are in the North Ganal and IDD areas, with drilling and production phases set to commence, and the output directed to Bontang to reactivate the previously halted LNG facility.
Additionally, Arifin mentioned other potential gas reserves in areas such as Konta and Meriam. "In Muara Bakau, Meriam, and Konta, the largest fields are expected to begin drilling in early 2025," he explained. These substantial gas fields in the Makassar Strait are anticipated to start production within the next 2-3 years, supporting Indonesia's energy security and transition by reducing carbon emissions. The IDD project, located in the deep waters of the Kutai Basin at depths of 1,000-2,000 meters, was acquired by Eni from Chevron in September 2023. It is now part of the National Strategic Projects (PSN). By the end of July 2024, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources approved the extension and development plans for the IDD (Rapak, Ganal) and Muara Bakau blocks, facilitating the project's advancement. Currently, Eni manages several working areas in the Kutai Basin, including production and development blocks like Ganal Rapak, Muara Bakau, West Ganal, Makassar Strait, and East Sepinggan, as well as exploration blocks such as East Ganal, Peri Mahakam, and North Ganal, all poised for development.
