Eni SPA started gas production from the Merakes project in the East Sepinggan block in the Makassar Strait, offshore East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The project is a deepwater gas field development at Kutei basin in about 1,500 m water depth. Five wells guarantee 450 MMscfd production, equivalent to 85,000 boe/d, Eni said in a release Apr. 26. The field has been connected to ENI’s operated 750 MMscfd Jangkrik floating production unit (FPU), 45 km from Merakes field.
Production will be combined with gas flowing from Jangkrik gas field. After processing, gas is exported to the onshore receiving facility in Senipah via existing Jangkrik pipelines and will be partially sold to the domestic market. Gas also will contribute to the life extension of the Bontang LNG plant that supplies LNG to domestic and export markets.
Eni is operator of the block (65%) through its affiliate, Eni East Sepinggan Ltd. Partners are Neptune Energy East Sepinggan BV (20%) and PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (15%).