After a 28-Year Wait, President Prabowo Launches Abadi Masela LNG Project Construction
President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated the groundbreaking of the Abadi Masela Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) National Strategic Project on Thursday (07/16). The event was held in a hybrid format via video conference, connecting the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta with the groundbreaking site in Tanimbar Islands regency, Maluku province.
In his report, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that today’s event marks a significant milestone for the long-standing Masela project. Bahlil noted that this groundbreaking ceremony demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthening energy independence as a strategic pillar of national development.
“This project has been underway since 1998 and has had a significant impact on our economy. Thanks to the President’s directive and support, as well as the synergy among all stakeholders in the Abadi Masela project, a major milestone has been successfully reached today,” said the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The development of the Abadi Masela project entails the construction of integrated upstream and downstream facilities. With an investment value of approximately USD20.9 billion, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources stated that the project will have a capacity of 9.5 million tons of LNG per year, which can strengthen national energy security.
“This facility produces 9.5 million tons of LNG per year, equivalent to 120 million standard cubic feet of gas and 35,000 barrels of condensate per day. This initiative aims to boost our production output. Regarding the gas, Mr. President, we have established a policy where a minimum of 60 percent is allocated to meet domestic demand, while a maximum of 40 percent is designated for export,” he continued.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, President Prabowo stated that nation-building is a demanding endeavor requiring the unity of all elements of the nation. Therefore, the President emphasized that the development of the long-awaited Masela project—pending for nearly three decades—must be brought to completion without delay.
“We have awaited this project for almost three decades, the people have waited for three decades. Praise be to God, today we are commencing construction; the work must not be hindered and must be completed in the shortest possible time,” said the President.
For the Government, the commencement of the Abadi Masela LNG project represents more than just the start of a large-scale energy venture; it symbolizes the acceleration of downstream industrialization, the strengthening of energy security, and the enhancement of natural resource value-added, as well as a commitment to delivering greater economic benefits to Indonesia—particularly for the people of Maluku and Indonesia’s eastern regions. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat) (AW/LW)
