Jakarta – A significant shift in Indonesia’s fuel supply chain is underway,as teh Ministry of energy and Mineral Resources announced new regulations regarding diesel imports. Effective March 2026, privately-owned gas stations will no longer be permitted to directly import diesel fuel, instead sourcing their supplies from the state-owned oil company, pertamina. The policy change is tied to the government’s aspiring plan to achieve national energy independence and fully utilize upgraded domestic refinery capacity following the completion of key Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) projects.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) announced that privately-owned gas stations will only be permitted to import diesel fuel until March 2026. After that date, all diesel needs will be met by domestic oil refinery production.
Laode Sulaeman, Director General of Oil and Gas at the ESDM, stated the policy aligns with the government’s plan to cease diesel imports by 2026, coinciding with the operational status of the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) projects. This move aims to bolster Indonesia’s energy independence and streamline fuel supply chains.
“The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources has communicated that we aim to eliminate diesel imports by 2026,” Sulaeman said. “The RDMP projects are operational, but require a three-month period for full operationalization. After that preparation, sufficient stock will be available for all, including private operators, and all imports will be halted in April.”
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Sulaeman indicated that the ministry has already sent a letter to private gas station operators, instructing them to coordinate with Pertamina to secure diesel allocations after March 2026. These allocations will be automatically recorded in the Commodity Balance Information System (SINAS NK).
“We have already sent a letter to private operators, requiring them to coordinate immediately with Pertamina to obtain domestic allocations,” he added.
Importation of gasoline, however, will continue as domestic refineries currently lack the capacity to meet national demand.
“Because we are already producing gasoline domestically, it wouldn’t make sense to continue importing it. However, gasoline imports will continue, as domestic refineries are not yet able to fully meet demand,” Sulaeman explained.
Indonesia to Halt Diesel Imports in 2026
Previously, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia affirmed Indonesia’s intention to end diesel imports next year. This decision is linked to the planned commissioning of the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) Balikpapan Refinery in December 2025.
Lahadalia noted that the expanded refinery will add approximately 100,000 barrels per day of diesel production capacity. With this increase, national diesel production and consumption are projected to be balanced.
Even without pushing for a biodiesel blend up to B50, Lahadalia stated Indonesia will not import diesel next year.
“I also reported to the President that with the operation of the RDMP Balikpapan, adding more than approximately 100,000 barrels per day for diesel, Indonesia will no longer import diesel starting next year, because our consumption and production are sufficient,” Lahadalia said during a plenary cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday, December 15, 2025.
Lahadalia explained that this refinery project, combined with the potential implementation of B50, is expected to create a diesel surplus of around 4 million tons, which will then be converted into aviation turbine fuel (avtur).
“We are considering converting the surplus of around 4 million tons of diesel, if we move to B50, to produce avtur, so that in 2026, hopefully our diesel and avtur will both be produced domestically,” he said.
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(hrp/ara)
