■ Acquired a 34% stake in the North Ketapang block, aiming to begin drilling within the year
■ Now holds interests in three Indonesian blocks: Serpang, Binaiya, and North Ketapang, enhancing synergies in resource development
■ Plans to develop Indonesia as a strategic resource development hub through Southeast Asia clustering strategy
SK Earthon, the energy resource development subsidiary of SK Innovation, has acquired a stake in the highly promising North Ketapang block in Indonesia, and will begin resource exploration activities.
SK Earthon announced the acquisition of a 34% interest in the North Ketapang exploration block from PETRONAS North Ketapang Sdn, Bhd. on November 23.
Accordingly, SK Earthon will jointly conduct resource exploration with PETRONAS North Ketapang Sdn, Bhd. (51% stake) and PT Pertamina Hulu Energi North Ketapang (15% stake).
Located offshore northeast of Java Island, the North Ketapang block is regarded as one of the most promising resource development blocks in Indonesia, a leading oil-producing country in Southeast Asia. Notably, recent exploration activities near the block have successfully discovered oil in new geological formations beyond the existing production layers. This achievement highlights the area’s high potential for further oil discoveries.
SK Earthon has been actively expanding its resource development business in Indonesia, and after a thorough analysis of the block’s potential and economic viability, has successfully secured this strategic stake.
PETRONAS North Ketapang Sdn, Bhd., the operator of the block, brings over 30 years of successful resource development experience in the region. PT Pertamina Hulu Energi North Ketapang, Indonesia’s state-owned oil company, possesses deep expertise in oil development projects in Indonesia. The partnership among the three companies is expected to create strong synergies in resource exploration and development. The partners plan to commence exploration drilling within this year.
This latest acquisition follows SK Earthon’s successful bids for stakes in the Serpang and Binaiya blocks in May, awarded through a competitive tender process led by the Indonesian government. With the addition of North Ketapang, SK Earthon now holds interests in three blocks in Indonesia. Notably, both Serpang and North Ketapang are located offshore northeast of Java, presenting strong opportunities for business synergy.
An SK Earthon representative commented, “Securing a stake in the North Ketapang block is part of our clustering strategy for resource development in Southeast Asia. Alongside our active projects in Vietnam, China, and Malaysia, we aim to develop Indonesia into a key global hub for resource development.”
In addition to expanding its upstream investments in Indonesia, SK Innovation is also actively pursuing Korea-Indonesia cooperation in carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects through its affiliate SK Innovation E&S.
[Photo] Location map of SK Earthon’s exploration blocks in Indonesia
