PETRONAS announced a new hydrocarbon discovery at the Barokah-1 well, located in deep waters off the coast of East Java, Indonesia. The drilling was executed by its subsidiary PETRONAS North Ketapang Sdn. Bhd. , within the North Ketapang Production Sharing Contract (PSC).
A Breakthrough for East Java’s Energy Region
Drilling of the Barokah-1 well began on November 30, 2025, and reached a total measured depth of 3,315.3 meters. Initial results have been positive, and further studies will be conducted to assess the full potential of the reservoir.
Ahmad Faisal Bakar, Vice President of Exploration at PETRONAS, explained that this breakthrough strengthens the geological prospectivity of North Madura, reaffirming the company’s strategy towards disciplined and sustained growth.
A Joint Operation with Local and International Support
The well development is being carried out in partnership with Earthon North Ketapang Pte. Ltd. , which holds 34% of the PSC, and PT. Pertamina Hulu Energi North Ketapang , which participates with the remaining 15%. PETRONAS leads the project as operator with a 51% stake.
Yuzaini Md Yusof, President Director of PETRONAS North Ketapang, thanked the Government of Indonesia and partners for their collaboration during the drilling program, highlighting the common goal of contributing to the country’s energy sector.
Another Step in PETRONAS’ Energy Expansion
The hydrocarbon discovery in Barokah-1 reinforces the oil company’s momentum in East Java, where it also operates other strategic contracts such as Ketapang, North Madura II, and Serpang. Special attention is given to the Hidayah Development Project in North Madura II, which reached its Final Investment Decision (FID) in October 2024, following an oil discovery in 2021.
Additionally, the company participates in six more PSCs distributed onshore and offshore in regions such as Sumatra, the Natuna Sea, and East Indonesia, thus consolidating its regional portfolio.
Sustainability and long-term vision
This advancement is part of the company’s commitment to responsible energy development, contributing to a more balanced energy matrix in Indonesia. The Barokah-1 discovery not only represents a technical step but also an opportunity to strengthen regional energy security.
Source: PETRONAS