JAKARTA – PT Saka Energi Indonesia (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 in the Ujung Pangkah Field, Pangkah Working Area (WK Pangkah), located in East Java waters. Production test results showed very positive performance, and the well has successfully gone onstream as part of efforts to increase production to support national energy needs.
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 per day (MMSCFD) of associated gas. This achievement demonstrates that the Ujung Pangkah Field, as the first field developed in the Pangkah Block, still holds significant potential to continuously contribute to production increases in the East Java region.
SAKA Operations Director Achmad Agus Miftakhurrohman stated that the success of this drilling is an important milestone for the company in the Pangkah Block.
“The success of drilling the UPA-17ST well is an important recent achievement after SAKA previously also successfully drilled and put onstream another development well, namely the SID-05 Well,” 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 successfully completed on December 28, 2025, followed by Well Intervention (WLI) including stimulation to optimize well production and ensure smooth hydrocarbon flow from the reservoir to the surface. The well has entered the production testing phase to determine the optimal production rate integrated into the field production system.
“Production results exceeding the target demonstrate excellent reservoir potential while reflecting the effectiveness of technical planning, prioritizing safety at all times, and the solid collaboration of the entire internal team with partners and relevant stakeholders, especially the SKK Migas Management alongside other KKKS,” added Achmad Agus.
The UPA-17ST well is the longest reach well ever drilled by SAKA and falls under the Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) category. This technology allows drilling to reach reservoirs located far from production facilities, enabling reservoir development to be carried out more efficiently without building new platforms.
This success also received a positive welcome from SKK Migas Management and is expected to boost national oil and gas production.
“Alhamdulillah, the results of the UPA-17ST development well drilling activity show very good results,” said Djoko Siswanto, Head of SKK Migas.
Operationally, the drilling of this well was a conversion from an idle well, presenting its own set of challenges, added by the long horizontal trajectory categorized under ERD. Furthermore, the well drilling operation involved the use of expandable casing to anticipate the complex characteristics of the rock formations penetrated, as well as the application of carbonate reservoir stimulation using improved techniques.
“The application of ERD technology, the use of expandable casing, and improved carbonate reservoir stimulation techniques are part of the company’s efforts to increase field development efficiency while maximizing the utilization of existing production infrastructure,” added Achmad Agus.
With production test results exceeding targets, the integrated UPA-17ST well is expected to add production, strengthen WK Pangkah’s contribution to national energy supply and the government’s lifting targets. This success stands as proof of SAKA’s commitment to optimizing field potential through technology application, production efficiency, and reliable operational management.