Pertamina EP has probably plugged and abandoned its exploration well Marlin 1 (MRL-1) as a dry hole, in the Tanjung 1 PPC, located onshore in the Barito Basin, around mid-August 2019. The well has penetrated six reservoir intervals within the target of the Lower Tanjung Formation. Sources indicated that DST conducted on the well has produced only water. Gas chromatography showed a gas peak at a coal marker.  Marlin 1 reached a total depth of around 1,840 m MD, shallower than the planned total depth of 1,878 m MD. The well was drilled using Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia (PDSI) rig # 01.2/N80B Rig M, with initial estimated operation of 118 days. The well was initially reported to hold potential oil resources estimated at around 45 MMbbl.    According to Pertamina, exploration drilling cost for the planned campaign could be up to approximately USD 15 million. The company is reportedly planning to drill an additional well in the block in 2020.  The Marlin prospect may have been defined from a 3D seismic survey acquired between late 2013 and early 2014, covering 234 sq km and acquired by PT Daqing Citra. Primary exploration objective within the block are sandstones of the Eocene Tanjung Formation, which is already proven as a hydrocarbon producer within the surrounding fields.  The block contains mature oil fields such as Kambitin, Tanjung, Tapian Timur, Warukin Selatan and Warukin Tengah.  Pertamina commenced a polymer Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) project in the Tanjung field on 20 December 2018. The purpose of the project is to extract additional oil from the maturing field, which cannot be obtained using the primary and secondary (water or gas injection) recovery method.  In March 2018, local media reported that Pertamina was planning to carry out a development drilling campaign with around eight wells in the block, likely in 2H 2018. The wells would have a PTD between 650 m and 2,000 m. The two deepest wells would target new potential reservoir zones in the Warukin Formation sandstones, between the depths of 1,000 m and 2,000 m. The company also reportedly was planning to carry out workover for wells in the Warukin and Kambitin fields, targeting the sandstone reservoirs of Tanjung and Warukin formations, at the depths of 600 m to 900 m.  Pertamina completed a 300 km 2D seismic survey in the block around early April 2016. Acquisition commenced in early September 2015. The survey might have covered the northern portion of the block in which the primary exploration target is the Warukin Formation.  The block is operated by Pertamina with 100% ownership.  Background Information  Eight unsuccessful exploratory wells were drilled by BPM and NKPM within the central, northwest portion and southeast portion of the block from 1935 to 1940. Kuripan 1 wildcat was drilled by NKPM in the central portion of the block in 1940 and three wells drilled on the northwestern portion of the block by BPM from 1934 to 1935 are Mengkatip 1, Mengkatip 2 and Mengkatip 3. Four dry wells (Barito 09, Barito 13, Amuntai 09 and Amuntai 10) were drilled by BPM in 1935 within the northeastern portion of the block.   The EOR project originally covered the Kambitin, Tanjung, Tapian Timur, Warukin Selatan and Warukin Tengah oil fields, previously developed pre-WWII and by Pertamina in the 1960s and 1970s. Pilot projects were carried out at Warukin and Tanjung in the early 1990s but only the EOR project at the Tanjung field proved economically viable and the remaining fields reverted to Pertamina operatorship. Tanjung was the site of a waterflood project which commenced in 1995.   At end 2000, production stood at about 6,900 bbl/d of oil, this improving to over 7,200 bbl/d of oil by mid-2002 but decreasing slightly to about 7,050 bbl/d of oil by mid-2003. The latest official production data available is from December 2003, when output averaged 6,432 bbl/d of oil.  On 11 November 2004, the Tanjung Raya Fields EOR expired after its contracted 15-year lifespan. Pertamina/Talisman JOB was believed to have applied for an extension to the contract but the area was absorbed into PT Pertamina's UEP IV East Kalimantan operating area. Awarded to the Pertamina/Southern Cross (Tanjung) Ltd JOB on 11 November 1989 upon payment of signature bonuses totalling USD 2.5 million, the EOR carried a six-year work commitment of USD 117.9 million. Bow Valley acquired Southern Cross in June 1991 and, in turn, was taken over by fellow Canadian independent Talisman in August 1994.  On 22 May 2007, China PetroTech announced that it had signed a joint study agreement with PT Pertamina EP to explore the use of various Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technologies to optimise production at Pertaminaâs existing mature oil fields. The study area covered the Tapian Timur and Dahor fields in the Tanjung I PPC in South Kalimantan. The first phase of the 6-9 months of the study will involve the collection of various field data, geological and geophysical studies and engineering study. Subjected to the approval of BPMigas, the second phase will encompass field engineering and field pilot projects before implementation of a full EOR programme.   Pertamina conducted a 171 km of 2D seismic survey over the Tapian Timur area. This survey was carried out from late August to late October 2010 by PT Daqing.  Wildcat Piraiba 1 was completed in early June 2015, after testing oil and gas. The well was drilled to a total depth of 2,000 m and was spudded on 13 March 2015, targeting the Warukin Formation sandstone.
Marlin 1 (MRL-1) (Pertamina EP 100%) in the Tanjung 1 PPC, has probably P&A as a dry hole, the well has penetrated 6 reservoir intervals within the target of the Lower Tanjung Fm. Sources indicated that DST conducted on the well has produced only water.