Eni successfully drilled and tested the Merakes East prospect in East Sepinggan block, Offshore Kalimantan, Indonesia. The prospect is located 33 km south east from the Eni-operated Jangkrik field and just 3 km east of the Merakes Field. The well has been drilled to a depth of 3,400 m MD in 1,592 m of water depth and encountered 15 meters of gas bearing net sands in two distinct levels of Miocene Age.

The production test, which was limited by surface facilities, recorded an excellent gas deliverability of the reservoir, and allowed to collect all the necessary data to perform all the studies required for the submission of a field development plan for the commercial exploitation of this new discovery. The analysis of test data show that in production configuration the well can deliver 70 mmscfd of gas and 1000 bbld of associated condensates.

The proximity of this new discovery to Merakes field, whose development plan investments were approved just few days ago, in line with Eni near field exploration, will allow to maximize the synergies among the subsea infrastructures as well as to reduce costs and time of the execution of the future subsea development.

Eni has been operating in Indonesia since 2001 and currently has a large portfolio of assets in exploration, production and development. Eni is the operator of East Sepinggan Contract Area through its subsidiary Eni East Sepinggan Limited which holds an 85% Participating Interest while PT Pertamina Hulu Energi East Sepinggan holds the remaining 15%.

Production activities are located in the Kutei Basin, East Kalimantan, mainly through the Jangkrik field, in the Muara Bakau working area, that delivers production in excess of 650 mmscfd.