Publications

Oil production in Indonesia is dominated by onshore mature fields that are experiencing rapid rates of decline, yet hold significant remaining reserves. Operated by both domestic and foreign-owned exploration and production (E&P) companies ranging in size from international majors to the smallest of independents, many of these brownfields present similar challenges and are expected to respond favourably to a proposed strategy to increase incremental production and achieve higher recoveries.Stimulated by discussions at the Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB) Brownfield Symposium (October 2004), this paper examines some of the current obstacles to brownfield revitalisation in Indonesia and explores options for removing them. The paper also outlines steps necessary for a coherent brownfield revitalisation strategy that optimises economic benefits for all stakeholders, including government, investors, operators, service companies, and academia. Such a strategy can unlock value currently blocked by a lack of appropriate technology, poor processes, conflicting objectives, unacceptable risk, and economic disincentives.