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This article summarized the exploration ideas and methods for a closer look at the Mesozoic hydrocarbon potential in the Banggai Basin, offshore Matindok, Eastern Arm of Sulawesi. The area is one of the Pertamina EP’s working area which located in the frontier basin that has an acreage exceeding 10,000 sqkm. A major portion of the Mesozoic play in the basin is still under explored, whilst/whereas the existence of an active Cenozoic petroleum system in the offshore Matindok has been confirmed by Tiaka Producing Field. The main challenge in exploring the Mesozoic section in the Matindok Block is imaging it below the ophiolite complex / ultra-mafic layer of the Batui thrust, as well as the thick Neogene carbonate. These barriers inhibit the penetration of seismic energy that resulted in low-quality seismic data beneath the thrust. In order to generate its play concept, massive exploration efforts have been conducted in the Matindok Block since 2017. It consists of onshore geological fieldwork, high-resolution satellite data processing, and the new acquisition of shallow-marine transition 2D seismic data. Potential mature source rocks of the Triassic Tokala marine shale was found in the outcrops nearby the Batui thrust. In the seismic interpretation, the equivalent Jurassic to Cretaceous outcrops that dominated by the fluvio-deltaic sandstones, have been interpreted as pinched-out features along the margin of half graben structures. This area was compressed during the Late Miocene to Plio-Pleistocene shortening events, and intensively imbricated the Cenozoic to present-day sediments on the Batui thrust, but put the Paleozoic - Mesozoic half-grabens beneath the Batui thrust decollement. Finally, the finding of this study is able to demonstrate the petroleum-system risks assessment of the Mesozoic hydrocarbon potential.