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The South Mahakam Cluster, located in the southern part of the Mahakam Block in Indonesia, is an offshore gas field characterized by multi-layered deltaic reservoirs covering an area of 500 km². The cluster comprises five fields — ‘JM’, ‘MD’, ‘MP’, ‘J’, and ‘S’ — arranged from proximal to distal areas. A significant milestone was achieved in 2022 with the exploration discovery of the ‘MP’ field, adding substantial potential to the cluster’s future development. This paper highlights the strategic development, optimization efforts, and collaborative approaches that have enabled the effective management of the South Mahakam Cluster.

Since development began in 2012, the South Mahakam Cluster has undergone nine phases, including infill drilling campaigns targeting the Sepinggan Deltaic Sequences-MF12 reservoir intervals. Although the cluster has smaller reserves compared to other fields, innovative solutions have maximized its potential. The implementation of tripod platforms equipped with multiphase flow meters (MPFM) for production testing was first introduced in South Mahakam. Additionally, the transition from medium-pressure (MP) to low-pressure (LP) production mode was executed efficiently using existing compressor facilities.

By 2024, the cluster achieved a cumulative production of 0.68 TCF of gas and 29.2 MMBBL of condensates. Efforts to extend field life include redefining geological concepts and updating geological models to enable step-out drilling, reusing platform slots for infill drilling, LLP booster compressor installations, and optimizing oil reservoir production in this gas field. Additionally, intra-field exploration potential has been effectively managed to sustain production. The accelerated development of the Manpatu field, supported by strong internal and external collaboration, is expected to deliver first gas in less than five years.

Ultimately, the success and sustainability of the South Mahakam Cluster result from the synergy of these strategies and collaborative efforts. Despite challenges, the cluster has consistently delivered strong results, contributing over 30% of the Mahakam Block’s total gas production.