President's brother wins Natuna oil block in government tender
PT Nations Petroleum, owned by Hashim Djojohadikusumo, secured the Natuna D-Alpha oil and gas area through a direct offer in the 2026 tender announced by Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry released the results of Phase I of the 2026 oil and gas tender, naming winners for six working areas. Two areas, Sapukala and Natuna D-Alpha, were allocated through a direct offer mechanism, while the remaining four—Bengara II, Pesut Mahakam, Puri, and Rupat—were awarded via a regular tender based on the 2025 ABT study zones. PT Nations Petroleum, a subsidiary of the Arsari Group owned by Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the president's younger brother, secured the Natuna D-Alpha block.
The firm committed to pay a US$200,000 signature bonus and to invest US$103.309 million over the initial three-year exploration period. The ministry said the added reserves aim to sustain national oil and gas production and meet future energy needs. These awards are part of a broader government push to accelerate fossil-fuel exploration across Indonesia.
Why it matters
The allocation gives a presidential relative control over new oil assets, highlighting potential political influence in Indonesia's energy sector.
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