Indonesia and Japan Move to Accelerate Masela Block Abadi Gas Project
Indonesia and Japan have agreed to accelerate development of the Abadi gas field in the Masela Block in Maluku, a project valued at US$20 billion that is expected to support Indonesia’s long‑term energy supply and industrial growth. According to officials, discussions advanced during a recent state visit to Japan by President Prabowo Subianto, where energy cooperation formed a central part of bilateral talks. Details of the agreement and its timeline were reported by ANTARA.
The project centres on the development of the Abadi Field in the Masela Block, located offshore in eastern Indonesia. Authorities view the initiative as both a strategic energy investment and a potential economic driver for the Maluku region. It is also expected to strengthen the country’s domestic gas supply to support future industrial demand.
Government Leaders Emphasise Strategic Energy Cooperation
Djoko Siswanto, Head of Indonesia’s Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas), confirmed that stakeholders involved in the Masela project have agreed to speed up development. He said discussions between the parties are progressing positively.
Siswanto accompanied Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia during President Prabowo’s visit to Japan, where both sides explored ways to deepen energy cooperation. The engagement reflects a broader pattern of cross-border collaboration in Indonesia’s development strategy, including initiatives such as public‑private partnerships supporting Indonesia’s digital ecosystem.
Dwi Anggia, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, noted that the energy sector featured prominently in bilateral discussions. She said cooperation with Japan presents significant opportunities to strengthen Indonesia’s energy security while translating policy commitments into concrete investment agreements.
Progress Toward FEED Phase and Production Timeline
Momentum for the project increased following a meeting on 15 March between Minister Lahadalia and Takayuki Ueda, Chief Executive Officer of Inpex Corporation, one of the key stakeholders in the Masela Block development. The meeting was described as an important step toward accelerating the project’s next stages.
According to Lahadalia, the project has reached approximately 25 percent progress. The government aims for the development to enter the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) stage by the second quarter of 2026, or by the third quarter at the latest. Once this phase begins, authorities plan to run the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) tender process in parallel to maintain momentum.
Economic Significance for Eastern Indonesia
Officials see the Masela Block as a major future source of natural gas for domestic industry and a catalyst for economic development in eastern Indonesia. The Indonesian ambassador to Japan and the Federated States of Micronesia, Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, described the agreement to advance the Abadi Field as a milestone for the country’s energy security.
The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo is working to facilitate the FEED phase and ensure it is completed on schedule by the third quarter of 2026. This timeline is intended to support the broader production target set for the period between 2029 and 2030.
The project forms part of Indonesia’s wider effort to strengthen strategic infrastructure and economic capacity across regions. Alongside energy development, the government is pursuing new technology investments, including initiatives such as plans to establish a quantum AI data centre in Batam, aimed at supporting long-term industrial and digital transformation.
