According to Drilling Contractor, Eni is preparing a 23-well offshore drilling campaign in Indonesia’s Kutei basin, targeting two deepwater gas hub developments off the coast of East Kalimantan.
A Large-Scale Deepwater Program Takes Shape
The campaign covers two project areas. The South Hub, spanning the Gendalo-Gandang development, calls for seven producing wells in water depths of roughly 1,000 to 1,800 meters, tied back to the existing Jangkrik floating production unit. The North Hub, covering the Geng North-Gehem development, is the larger of the two, with 16 producing wells planned in deeper waters of 1,700 to 2,000 meters. That northern program will be supported by a new floating production, storage and offloading unit, or FPSO.
Together, the two hubs form the backbone of Eni’s subsea production strategy in the region. The scale of the well count and the infrastructure requirements, including two separate floating production systems, signal a long-duration program with multiple contract packages likely to be bid out over the coming years.
What It Means for Subcontractors
This campaign is primarily an international opportunity, but it signals demand for specialized services that US and Canadian-based companies increasingly compete for globally.
- Subsea services companies with experience in deepwater tieback systems will be well-positioned, particularly for the 16-well North Hub program requiring new FPSO integration.
- Drilling contractors and well services firms with deepwater capability should watch for rig contract announcements, as a 23-well program at these water depths will require long-term rig commitments.
- FPSO-related contractors, including topside fabricators, marine installation firms, and commissioning specialists, should track the North Hub procurement process closely.
- US-based service companies operating internationally, including those already active in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater market, should monitor Eni’s upcoming tender activity as this program moves toward execution.
