Bass Oil Mobilises Rig to Triple Indonesian Output with Bunian 6 Well

Drilling Campaign Targets Significant Production Boost

Bass Oil Limited (ASX:BAS) is mobilising a drilling rig to the Bunian 6 well site in the Tangai-Sukananti KSO, Indonesia, with operations scheduled to begin in early May. The company anticipates the well will come online by mid-June, potentially tripling oil production from the field from 250 barrels of oil per day (bopd) to 750 bopd. This increase would translate to a Bass share uplift from 140 bopd to 410 bopd, a substantial jump in output at a time when oil prices remain elevated.

The well is expected to recover over 150,000 barrels of oil based on internal modelling, although Bass cautions that actual results will depend on drilling and reservoir performance. With an 80 percent likelihood of success, Bunian 6 aims to tap the primary TRM3 sandstone reservoir and also test the secondary K reservoir, which has shown oil production in other wells but is not currently included in 2P reserves.

Strategic Location and Reservoir Potential

Located near the crest of the Bunian Field structure, Bunian 6 is positioned to optimise reservoir parameters identified through recent integrated field studies, including advanced seismic attribute analysis. The well is forecast to deliver an initial production rate of around 500 bopd from the primary TRM3 sandstone, accelerating oil drainage in the field. Secondary targets include the GRM and K reservoirs, which could add further upside if productive.

The Tangai-Sukananti KSO, where Bass holds a 55 percent operated interest, lies within the prolific South Sumatra Basin. The area benefits from extensive 3D seismic coverage, supporting the identification of additional drill targets such as Bunian West and Bunian North West. This drilling campaign follows Bass Oil securing regulatory approval for the Bunian 6 drilling contract in March, marking a critical step from planning to execution.

Funding for the drilling program is fully secured, with expenditure recoverable against existing production under the terms of the KSO. Joint venture partners include Bass Oil as operator with 55 percent interest and Mega Adhyaksa Pratama Sukananti Ltd holding 45 percent.

Execution Timeline and Operational Readiness

The well is expected to reach its total depth of approximately 1,820 metres within 30 days, with immediate completion and production start-up thereafter. Pre-spud safety and operational checks are underway to ensure readiness. This drilling initiative dovetails with Bass Oil’s broader strategy to enhance production and reserves in Indonesia, complementing its Australian Cooper Basin assets and upcoming entry into the East Coast Gas Market later this year.

Recent developments such as the regulatory approval for the Bunian 6 drilling contract have cleared the way for this milestone, underscoring Bass Oil’s steady progress despite operational challenges elsewhere. The outcomes of Bunian 6 will be closely watched as an indicator of the company’s ability to deliver on production growth in a competitive regional oil market.