Japanese energy exploration and production company Inpex has been awarded rights to explore the Barong Working Area off Eastern Java in Indonesia in the second Indonesia Petroleum Bidding Round 2025, the company said on Thursday.
Inpex's subsidiary Inpex Barong has signed a production-sharing contract with Indonesian upstream regulator SKK Migas and BP Barong, both related to the exploration area that has been awarded, it said in a statement.
The area is off the coast of East Java and close to other oil and gas field discoveries, while Java Province itself is expected to offer stable energy demand in the medium to long term, the company said.
Inpex and its partner expect to transition from exploration to development and production should they made adequate discoveries. The company expects the new area will help the company expand its natural gas and LNG business and operations across Southeast Asia.
Inpex said it is also moving into carbon emission-reducing technologies like carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and integrated power supply.