Italian energy major Eni has secured a 100 per cent participating interest in the Sapukala exploration block, expanding its natural gas footprint in Indonesia’s offshore Kutei Basin.
The offshore block was awarded as part of the first Indonesia Petroleum Bidding Round 2026. The decision followed a joint technical study conducted alongside a prominent Indonesian academic institution, as well as participation in the government’s direct offer bidding process.
Located off the coast of East Kalimantan, the Sapukala block encompasses a substantial deep-water area with water depths ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 metres.
The newly acquired acreage sits directly adjacent to Eni’s existing operating blocks and lies close to the key North Hub development area.
The nearby North Hub assets are operated by Searah, a 50-50 joint venture company formed between Eni and Malaysia’s Petronas in June 2026.
The North Hub region houses major gas and condensate discoveries, including the Geng North, Gehem, Gula, and Geliga fields, which hold a combined estimate of more than 14 trillion cubic feet of gas in place and 800 million barrels of condensate.
Preliminary studies indicate that the Sapukala acreage is highly prospective. To accelerate its evaluation of the area, Eni recently completed a comprehensive, high-quality seismic survey that spans the new block.
Eni has maintained an operational presence in Indonesia since 2001 and currently operates the Peri-Mahakam and Makassar Strait blocks directly.
Through Searah, Eni and Petronas manage a consolidated portfolio of 19 gas-producing and development assets across South-East Asia, including 14 in Indonesia and five in Malaysia.
Searah currently maintains an output of approximately 350,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboe/d), with plans to boost sustainable production past 500 kboe/d by 2028.
