Jakarta – PT Saka Energi Indonesia (PGN Saka), an upstream oil and gas company and part of Pertamina’s Gas Subholding, through Saka Indonesia Pangkah Limited (SIPL), has successfully completed the drilling of the UPA-17ST development well at the Ujung Pangkah Field in the Pangkah Working Area, located in the waters off East Java. Production test results showed very positive performance, and the well has successfully come onstream as part of the company’s efforts to increase production and support national energy demand.
Based on well test results conducted on March 29, 2026, the UPA-17ST well produced 2,443 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 3.72 million standard cubic feet of associated gas per day (MMSCFD). This achievement indicates that the Ujung Pangkah Field, the first field developed in the Pangkah Working Area, still holds significant potential to continue contributing to increased production in East Java.
PGN Saka Director of Operations Achmad Agus Miftakhurrohman stated that the successful drilling marked an important milestone for the company in the Pangkah Working Area.
“The successful drilling of the UPA-17ST well is our latest important achievement, following PGN Saka’s previous success in drilling and bringing another development well, SID-05, onstream,” he said.
Drilling of UPA-17ST began on October 12, 2025, from Well Head Platform-A (WHP-A) using the SinoOcean Peace Jack-Up Rig and was completed on December 28, 2025. The operation was then followed by Well Intervention (WLI), including stimulation activities to optimize well production and ensure that hydrocarbons could flow effectively from the reservoir to the surface. The well subsequently entered the production testing stage to determine the optimal production rate integrated with the field production system.
“Production results exceeding the target demonstrate the strong potential of the reservoir and reflect the effectiveness of our technical planning while maintaining safety as a top priority. This achievement also reflects solid collaboration among our internal teams, partners, and relevant stakeholders, particularly SKK Migas management together with other Cooperation Contract Contractors,” added Achmad Agus.
UPA-17ST is the longest-reach well ever drilled by PGN Saka and falls under the Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) category. This technology enables drilling to reach reservoirs located far from existing production facilities, allowing reserves to be developed more efficiently without the need to construct a new platform.
The achievement also received a positive response from SKK Migas management and is expected to support an increase in national oil and gas production.
“Alhamdulillah, the results of the UPA-17ST development well drilling activity have been very positive,” said Djoko Siswanto, Head of SKK Migas.
From an operational perspective, the drilling involved the conversion of an idle well, presenting its own set of challenges, particularly due to the long horizontal section that falls within the ERD category. In addition, the drilling operation involved the use of expandable casing to address the complexity of the geological formations encountered, as well as the application of an improved carbonate reservoir stimulation technique.
“The application of ERD technology, the use of expandable casing, and the improved carbonate reservoir stimulation technique are part of the company’s efforts to enhance field development efficiency while maximizing the use of existing production infrastructure,” added Achmad Agus.
With production test results exceeding the target, the integrated UPA-17ST well is expected to increase production, strengthen the contribution of the Pangkah Working Area to national energy supply, and support the government’s lifting targets. This achievement demonstrates PGN Saka’s commitment to optimizing field potential through the application of technology, production efficiency, and reliable operational management.