Jakarta – The government has emphasized that strengthening upstream oil and gas operations in eastern Indonesia, particularly in Papua, significantly contributes to national energy security and boosts regional economic development. Throughout early 2026, increased development drilling activities, maintenance of existing wells, and optimization of production facilities have yielded positive results, resulting in increased daily oil production and improved operational efficiency.
The government views the sustainability of the upstream oil and gas sector as one of the main pillars in maintaining the availability of domestic energy supplies, especially for the eastern region, where energy needs continue to grow in line with the growth of industry, electricity, and public services.
The Head of SKK Migas, Djoko Siswanto, stated that strengthening upstream operations in Papua is part of the government’s long-term strategy to strengthen energy independence.
“The increase in production from the Papua region demonstrates the enormous potential of the eastern region. The government is committed to maintaining a conducive investment climate and ensuring that every project is completed on time and provides benefits to the country and its people,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Pertamina EP’s Papua Field General Manager, Dadang Soewargono, added that production success is not only determined by technical aspects, but also collaboration with local stakeholders.
“We focus on occupational safety, facility reliability, and empowering the local workforce. The presence of oil and gas operations must have a direct economic impact on the surrounding community,” he said.
The government also emphasized that all upstream oil and gas activities in Papua be implemented with sustainability principles, including environmental management, social responsibility programs, and regional human resource capacity development. In addition to supporting oil supplies, natural gas development is geared towards supporting electricity generation and domestic demand, thereby reducing reliance on energy imports.
President Prabowo Subianto previously emphasized that Papua’s natural resources must be managed for the greatest prosperity of the people. The government ensures that the economic benefits of the energy sector will be felt directly through job creation, strengthening MSMEs, and developing supporting infrastructure in operational areas.
With increasingly solid operational performance and consistent policy support, the government is optimistic that the upstream oil and gas sector in Papua will continue to be a crucial pillar of national energy security. Synergy between regulators, state-owned enterprises, and the community is expected to create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy industry ecosystem, while accelerating equitable development in eastern Indonesia.
