Italian energy company Eni confirmed it won the Sapukala block with a 100 percent participating interest in the Kutei Basin in Indonesia.
The award within the framework of the first Indonesia petroleum bidding round in 2026 follows the execution of a joint study with a prominent Indonesian academic institution, in accordance with local regulatory requirements, and participation in the direct offer bid round, according to Eni.
Moreover, the Sapukala offshore block covers a large area in the deep-water sector (1,000-2,500 m water depth) of the Kutei Basin, East Kalimantan.
Eni said the acreage is adjacent to its existing operated and participated blocks and close to the future North Hub developments, now operated by Searah (Eni 50 percent, Petronas 50 percent), which include the Geng North, Gehem, Gula and Geliga gas and condensate discoveries (in total more than 14 Tcf of gas in place and 800 Mbbls of condensate).
With a portfolio of 19 gas-producing and development assets —14 in Indonesia and 5 in Malaysia — Searah is producing around 350 kboe/d, aiming to exceed 500 kboe/d of sustainable production by 2028.
Based on the study conducted, the new acreage is considered “highly prospective,” Eni said.
Eni has recently completed a new high-quality seismic data acquisition program which also covers the Sapukala block, laying the basis for an accelerated further evaluation of the block.