Bula, located on the northeastern coast of Seram Island in Indonesia, is one of the key historical and active regions in the country’s oil and gas industry. The area has a rich petroleum legacy dating back to the late 19th century when the Dutch established oil exploration and production facilities. The Bula Oil Field was the first oil field discovered in Eastern Indonesia, in 1897. Its petroleum system is associated with Pliocene-Pleistocene deposits and is characterized by sandstone reservoirs interspersed with conglomerates and hydrocarbons trapped in structural and stratigraphic formations.
Bula experienced notable developments during World War II, as its oil facilities were a strategic resource. Initially operated by the Dutch, the area was occupied by Japanese forces in 1942 and became a site of conflict involving Allied forces later in the war.
Post-independence, the region saw ongoing exploration and production activities, with companies such as Kalrez Petroleum managing operations in the area. The field has yielded significant oil and gas production but is now in the mature phase of its lifecycle, with current recovery efforts focusing on maximizing remaining reserves. Projections estimate that operations in the field will continue economically until 2039.
Geological studies in the region, including offshore Southeast Seram, highlight further hydrocarbon potential. Plays associated with the Jurassic Manusela carbonate reservoirs and other formations in Seram continue to attract interest for their significant gas and oil reserves, such as those seen in the Lofin and Oseil fields. These findings underscore the long-term prospects of petroleum activities in the Seram Basin, including Bula and its adjacent areas.
For more detailed insights, you can refer to resources on regional petroleum geology and the history of oil and gas operations in Seram Island