MEMR surveys oil and gas potential off Papua coast
Thursday, March 19 2026 - 09:54 AM WIB
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources ((MEMR) is conducting a survey of oil and gas potential in waters off northern Papua, as part of efforts to boost national energy output by 2030, a regional official said, as reported by Cendrawasih Pos.
The survey, led by the ministry’s Geological Agency, aims to map subsurface geological structures and identify potential hydrocarbon reserves along the province’s northern coastline, said Karsudi, head of the Papua energy and investment office.
The work has been carried out over about a month from early February to March 2026, covering roughly 2,065 km from Jayapura city through Jayapura regency, Sarmi, Mamberamo and Supiori, he told reporters on Monday (March 16).
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The survey involves three vessels, including the main survey ship KRSY 760 and two supporting vessels.
Some fishing equipment belonging to local fishermen has been affected as survey vessels passed through their locations. In Jayapura city alone, 58 fish aggregating devices were cut as they lay along the survey route, Karsudi said.
The government has prepared compensation for affected fishermen, with payments set at Rp 46.6 million per unit for equipment located within 12 nautical miles from shore, and 120 million rupiah per unit for those beyond that distance.
Fishermen will be verified before compensation is disbursed through accounts at Bank Mandiri, with payments targeted for completion by April 10, he added.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak