President Prabowo to Launch Masela Gas Field Development

President Prabowo Subianto is set to officially commence the development of the Abadi Masela gas field, also known as the Masela Block. The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2026, will take place in the Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi confirmed the President's attendance, expressing relief that the project, which has been dormant for years, is finally moving forward. "After years of being stalled, thank God it can now operate, even if it's just the groundbreaking," he stated on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Parliament Building in Jakarta. Hadi emphasized that the initiation of the Masela Block project is an achievement for all Indonesians and that the President's presence underscores its importance.

The Masela Block is a massive natural gas field located in the Arafura Sea, approximately 800 km east of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, and about 400 km north of Darwin, Australia. With an estimated value of $19.8 billion (Rp357.84 trillion), it is designated as a national strategic project. The block covers an area of about 4,291.35 km² in waters ranging from 300 to 1,000 meters deep. It has the potential to produce 1,600 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas, equivalent to 9.5 million tons of LNG annually, along with 150 million standard cubic feet per day of pipeline gas and approximately 35,000 barrels of condensate per day. The project targets operational commencement in the fourth quarter of 2029.

Previously, the participating interest in the Masela Block was held by Japan-based Inpex Masela Ltd. (65% as operator) and Shell Upstream Overseas Services Ltd. (35%). Recently, PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE), through its subsidiary PT Pertamina Hulu Energi Masela (PHE Masela), partnered with PETRONAS Masela Sdn. Bhd. to acquire Shell's 35% participating interest. The Maluku Regional Police have confirmed that all security aspects for President Prabowo's visit on July 16, 2026, are prepared, highlighting the event's significance for national energy security and investor confidence.