Indonesia’s national energy company Pertamina has approved Andalas Energy and Power’s Tuba Obi East (TOE) proof-of-concept work programme.

As part of the programme, the existing TOE-1 well and production testing of the gas bearing Air Benakat Formation (ABF) re-testing will be completed.

As the technical operator, Andalas is now in the process of finalising the recompletion design, tender documents, and mobilisation plans.

Pertamina is set to provide budgetary approval for the programme, following which work will commence onsite.

"As part of the programme, the existing TOE-1 well and production testing of the gas bearing Air Benakat Formation (ABF) re-testing will be completed."

Andalas Energy and Power CEO David Whitby said: “Over the past two months we have been working closely with Pertamina and our joint venture partner, PT Akar Golindo, to determine the most cost effective way to evaluate the gas in ABF at Tuba Obi East.

“Pertamina has recognised the significant potential of the ABF gas, its close proximity to a high-demand energy market, and that the proof of concept work programme will quickly and efficiently assess the gas quality, quantity and deliverability.”

The TOE field comprises three existing wells that intersect the gas bearing ABF.

The re-entry programme will see assessment of well casing integrity and the well will subsequently be recompleted to the more shallow ABF.

The Tuba Obi East oil and gas concession area is located in the Jambi province in Sumatra, Indonesia and covers an area of 55km² in the South Sumatra basin.

It was discovered in 1986 and three wells have been drilled on the concession to date.