Pertamina Drilling Ready to Develop Unconventional Oil and Gas

Sustaining long-term domestic energy security requires hydrocarbon producers to tap complex energy reserves as mature conventional fields experience natural decline. Unconventional oil and gas (MNK) resources, including tight sands and shale reservoirs, represent significant undeveloped potential. However, extracting resources from these formations presents steep technical challenges due to extremely low reservoir porosity and rock permeability, which prevent hydrocarbons from flowing under natural pressure. Overcoming these tight geological constraints requires specialized drilling technology, advanced solid-control fluid processing, and high-specification drilling rigs capable of handling elevated mechanical stresses and deep formation pressures.

Cyber Rig Operations and Exploration Milestones
To address these reservoir challenges, PT Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia (Pertamina Drilling) has expanded its role in executing high-complexity exploration wells alongside PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan (PHR). The initiative builds on foundational operational track records achieved during the exploration drilling of the Gulamo DET-1 well in 2023 and the Kelok DET-1 well in 2024.

During operations across both exploration sites, Pertamina Drilling deployed the PDSI#42.3/N1500-E rig, a cyber-type unit delivering 1,500 horsepower (HP) engineered specifically for high-complexity deep drilling. Field readiness is further supported by dedicated solid-control systems and associated drilling support services integrated directly into the well program. This mechanical configuration provides the hydraulic pressure, circulation control, and cuttings-separation performance necessary to maintain wellbore integrity through tight, sensitive shale lithologies.

National Footprint and Integrated Project Management
Pertamina Drilling backs its unconventional exploration initiatives with nearly two decades of field experience and an active fleet of 58 onshore rigs spanning 300 HP to 2,000 HP. Offshore assets include two 550-HP workover rigs, alongside three offshore jack-up rigs operated in strategic collaboration with international drilling contractor ADES. The contractor's operational footprint spans strategic assets across Pertamina Upstream Subholding Regions 1 through 4, extending from Sumatra to Papua.

To streamline operations and control exploratory well expenditures, Pertamina Drilling delivers operations through an Integrated Project Management (IPM) model. Under IPM contracting, the company bundles primary rig operations with associated drilling services—including equipment integration, mud logging, solids management, and field engineering. This consolidated framework minimizes service fragmentation, simplifies on-site contractor management, and shortens cycle times as Indonesia works to expand upstream production.

Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.