West Natuna Exploration Limited has signed a binding rig contract for the Mako gas field development in Indonesia’s West Natuna Sea.
The company, a majority-owned unit of Conrad Asia Energy, will use the Admarine 502 independent-leg cantilever jack-up rig for a six-well drilling program under the Duyung PSC. The contract was placed with PT Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia through the PDSI–ADES consortium.
The firm work period is 180 days, with extension options included. The rig is scheduled to start operations in Q2 2027. Its scope covers the drilling of six development wells and the installation of the conductor support frame.
The Mako development plan is based on six wells tied back to a leased mobile offshore production unit. Sales gas will move through an approximately 59 km, 18-inch pipeline to the KF platform in the Kakap PSC, before entering the WNTS pipeline for delivery into Indonesia’s domestic gas market.
Capital expenditure to first gas remains estimated at $320 million. A further provision of about $35 million has been set aside for owner-supplied equipment to be transferred to the MOPU provider and possible MOPU down payments. Future operating costs are targeted at $70–80 million per year, including pipeline transportation.
Conrad Asia Energy said the rig award marks a key step for the Duyung PSC joint venture as it moves toward drilling at Mako. Empyrean Energy also described the contract as a firm commitment that supports the project’s drilling schedule and route to market.
