On 28 August 2025, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung emphasised the significance of accelerating the implementation of the Masela Block project, stating that the government is providing comprehensive support through the implementation of flexible procurement regulations and accelerated licensing processes, ensuring the seamless progression of all FEED and EPC phases on schedule. The government has initiated the technical design phase, or Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), for the Abadi Gas Field project in the Masela Block, Arafura Sea. The Masela Block is managed by INPEX Masela Ltd., a Japanese oil and gas company which holds a 65% stake. PT Pertamina Hulu Energi Masela holds a 20% stake, while Petronas Masela Sdn. Bhd. maintains a 15% share. For the FEED phase, INPEX has appointed PT Adhi Karya (Persero) Tbk as the main contractor, in collaboration with two global EPC companies, KBR and Samsung Engineering & Construction. The appointment was made official through a Letter of Award on 4 August 2025.
The Masela Block Gas Project, located off the coast of the Tanimbar Islands and Southwest Maluku, is one of Indonesia's national strategic projects, with an estimated investment value of USD 20.94 billion, equivalent to IDR 342 trillion. Deputy Minister Yuliot Tanjung has announced that the project is expected to create more than 12,600 job opportunities during the development phase, with around 850 positions to be filled in the operational phase. The government has set its sights on the Abadi Gas Field, with plans to initiate production in 2029. The Masela Block's onshore LNG facility will be equipped with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology, ensuring the energy supply remains stable while supporting the national emission reduction target towards net zero emissions. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' data indicates that the Masela Block has gas reserves of 18.54 trillion cubic feet (TCF). The Abadi Gas Field is targeted to produce 9.5 million tons of LNG per year, 150 million standard cubic feet of pipeline gas per day (MMSCFD), and 35,000 barrels of condensate per day.
