Abstract

Petroleum systems concepts in Indonesia developed considerably during the period from 1967 to 1984 by multinational companies working in Indonesia under the Production Sharing Contract. Using the petroleum systems concept, intensified exploration has been carried out within the producing areas as well as lateral extension beyond known production. The target was to fully exploit the known generated petroleum. The stability of Indonesian petroleum production during the last decade is due to the successful activities in conventional basins promoted by the knowledge of petroleum systems.

Prior to establishing a working petroleum system in an area, explorationists created a thought process involving petroleum generation, migration, and accumulation. This petroleum system logic was used in the early history of the petroleum industry as well as in the early history of frontier exploration. The explorationists made use of relevant data, regional tectonics, sedimentation and global sea level changes. The petroleum discoveries in several frontier areas showed that the understanding of petroleum system logic is remarkably useful and rewarding for economic ventures.