Italian energy company Eni is advancing plans for a 2026 ultra-deepwater drilling campaign in the North Ganal production sharing contract offshore East Kalimantan, Indonesia. This campaign is central to developing the Kutei Northern Hub (KNH) project, which is based around the multi-trillion cubic feet Geng North gas discovery made in 2023.

Drilling Campaign and Vessel Requirements

The planned drilling operation, expected to last up to one year, will involve at least one well in water depths of 2000 to 2200 metres. To support this, Eni has relaunched a tender to hire three platform supply vessels (PSVs). Each PSV must have a minimum deck area of 600 square metres and be built since 2010. Their duties will include transporting drilling fluids and materials, transferring personnel, providing extra accommodation, offering emergency support, and performing watchkeeping duties.

Tender Specifications and Local Content Rules

The tender is divided into three packages:

• Packages one and two require a diesel electric PSV with DP2 (dynamic positioning 2) capability.
• Package three is for a diesel electric or non-diesel vessel, also with DP2.

In line with Indonesian regulations, priority will be given to Indonesian-flagged vessels, and the contract mandates a minimum local content (TKDN) of 80%. Non-Indonesian vessels may be permitted for this offshore energy operation if they meet specific criteria.

Procurement Timeline and Drillship

New prospective bidders have until 11 February to submit prequalification documents, while contractors who prequalified last month remain eligible. For the drilling itself, Eni had previously tendered for a drillship capable of drilling, well testing, subsea completion, and Christmas tree installation. In a related development, compatriot contractor Saipem extended a purchase option in December for the seventh-generation drillship "Deep Value Driller" (formerly the Bolette Dolphin), which worked for Eni offshore West Africa last year and is now scheduled for the 2026 Indonesia drilling campaign.