Indonesia maintains a fuel reserve equivalent to approximately 21 days of national consumption, a standard level managed within the country’s energy logistics system, according to Pertamina Patra Niaga. The announcement comes as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raise concerns about global energy security.
Corporate Secretary Roberth MV Dumatubun explained that the fuel supply is continuously replenished through domestic refinery production and planned imports. “The approximately 21-day stock managed by Pertamina Patra Niaga is a stock of fuel that is normally always maintained within the national energy logistics system,” Dumatubun said. “This stock is continuously topped up or refilled with product additions through production from domestic refineries and planned imports, routinely and periodically, so the public does not need to worry about the availability of fuel.”
Pertamina Patra Niaga is as well responding to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East by optimizing operations at domestic refineries as a key mitigation strategy to ensure national energy supply resilience. The company is diversifying sources of crude oil and fuel products, strengthening logistics and distribution, and increasing coordination with the government and stakeholders.
“Pertamina Patra Niaga continues to monitor global developments and has prepared various anticipatory measures, including diversifying sources of crude oil and fuel products, strengthening logistical and distribution resilience, optimizing operations at domestic refineries, and increasing coordination with the government and all stakeholders,” Dumatubun stated.
The company is urging the public to remain calm and avoid panic buying, which could disrupt the normal distribution process. “We invite the public to remain calm and use energy wisely. Purchasing fuel according to needs will help maintain a stable distribution so that all members of the community can have equal access to energy,” Dumatubun added.
The call for calm follows reports of residents in the Aceh province rushing to purchase fuel, creating long lines at gas stations and retail outlets. Videos circulating on social media showed citizens filling jerrycans with gasoline and diesel.
Government Addresses Reserve Concerns
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia addressed concerns about the 20-day fuel reserve, explaining that Indonesia’s storage capacity is relatively small compared to global standards. He noted that the country’s maximum storage capacity is currently around 25 days.
“Don’t misinterpret this – for a long time, our storage capacity in Indonesia has not exceeded 21-25 days, so the national standard is at least 20-21 days, a maximum of 25 days,” Lahadalia said at a press conference on Saturday. He clarified that the government is limited by existing storage infrastructure and can only maintain reserves commensurate with available capacity.
“Why don’t we build up reserves beyond 25 days? Where would we store it? The storage isn’t sufficient. So, please clarify the news – it’s not that we can’t prepare more than 25 days, it’s simply that there’s no capacity,” Lahadalia explained.
President Prabowo Subianto has directed the ministry to expand storage capacity to a 90-day reserve, aligning with the minimum global consensus standard. The move underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s energy security.
“President Prabowo has instructed us to build storage facilities to ensure our energy resilience. Hopefully, the storage will reach 3 months, which is the minimum global consensus standard,” Lahadalia said.
(dwr/ygs)
