The Abadi Field liquefied natural gas (LNG) megaproject in the Masela Block, Arafura Sea, Maluku, has officially entered a new chapter with the commencement of its groundbreaking phase on Thursday (16/7/2026). This critical step marks the end of a long wait after the national strategic project (PSN) in the energy sector experienced a delay of nearly 28 years since it was first initiated in 1998.
This giant project has a fantastic investment value of USD 20.9 billion, equivalent to IDR 376.24 trillion. This massive investment figure makes it one of the upstream oil and gas projects with the largest funding, while also serving as a stage for the implementation of cutting-edge technology in the country's energy industry.
Over its nearly three-decade journey, the development concept of the Masela Block has evolved significantly. The project, which was originally designed as a conventional gas extraction activity, has now transformed into a clean energy pioneer through the integration of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to optimally reduce emissions.
