Senior economist Tauhid Ahmad of the Institute for Development of\nEconomics and Finance (Indef) says the public need not worry about\nIndonesia\u2019s fuel stockpiles, which are currently around 20 days. He is\nconfident the state-owned energy company Pertamina will undertake\nvarious measures to ensure its fuel stock remains sustainable. He\nexplains that a 20-day reserve means stock would run out if no action is\ntaken over a period; however, as a regular practice, Pertamina is\nimplementing steps to stabilise supply and maintain the level of\nstock.<\/p>\n
As context, the level of fuel reserves complies with applicable\nrules. In the December 2025 report, for example, the Minister of Energy\nand Mineral Resources noted that most types of fuel in Indonesia were\nabove the minimum reserve standard; for certain products, around 19\u201331\ndays. The Regulation No 9 of 2020 of BPH Migas on the Provision of\nOperational Fuel Reserves states that holders of business licences must\nprovide operational fuel reserves with a minimum cover of 23 days.<\/p>\n
Tauhid continued that stockpiling capacity depends on how far the\ngovernment and Pertamina are willing to invest. Not only the materials,\nbut also warehouses, distribution channels, shipments and so on. \u201cThat\nmeans, on average, our financial capacity to stock is around that level.\nIt does not mean the number of days will automatically drop; it will be\nrelatively volatile at that figure,\u201d he said. \u201cWhy not monthly? Because\nour financial capacity is limited. In addition, we are a net importer,\u201d\nhe added.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Tauhid views positively Pertamina\u2019s supply planning, from\nrefinery production to energy imports. He argued that these plans are\nimportant to keep the reserves stable.<\/p>\n
Tauhid cited Pertamina and government steps to promptly divert crude\nimports away from the Arab region. In the face of an increasingly tense\nGulf, such diversification is positive, including plans to import from\nBrazil or the United States. \u201cIn my view that\u2019s a good option, because\nthat region is currently free from conflict,\u201d Tauhid said.<\/p>\n
At present, according to Tauhid, Indonesia\u2019s crude imports from Saudi\nArabia account for around 20% of total imports. Indonesia also imports\nfrom Nigeria and Angola.<\/p>\n
Tauhid also urged that contracts for crude imports be signed\npromptly, given crude prices are rising amid the US\u2013Israel\u2013Iran\ntensions. He warned that price volatility for global supplies is a\nconcern, and suggested signing contracts sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n
He also warned against importing when crude prices reach US$100 per\nbarrel, as doing so would strain the state budget with a deficit\nexceeding 3%. \u201cRight now it\u2019s around US$78 per barrel,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, Tauhid cautioned that Indonesia\u2019s fuel reserve\nquota amid the conflict should ideally be expanded, to around 1\u20132 months\nif possible, to anticipate potential disruption of global distribution\nroutes, including the current Hormuz Strait closure. \u201cThe more reserves\nwe have, the better for us. Reserves underpin availability,\ndistribution, and the country\u2019s finances,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Pertamina should prepare contingency plans if the\nsituation worsens so that the public\u2019s fuel needs are not interrupted.\nWith these plans, Tauhid believes the public should not worry that\nIndonesia\u2019s fuel reserves will run out in about 20 days, as the\ngovernment already has plans to redirect imports to safer regions.<\/p>\n
Earlier, while attending a meeting at Istana Negara in Jakarta on\nMonday (2 March 2026) regarding current geopolitical conditions, Energy\nand Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said national fuel\nreserves are currently sufficient for 20 days (H-2).<\/p>\n
Pertamina has emphasised that subsidised fuel for fishermen is\ndivided into JBT, JBKP, and JBU. Fishermen need to understand the\ndifferences to access fuel correctly.<\/p>\n
RDMP Balikpapan remains a key milestone in strengthening national\nenergy resilience.<\/p>\n
In December 2025, KPI plans to increase gasoil production series to\naround 11.5 million barrels.<\/p>\n
The Government should further study an alternative fuel called\nBobibos (Bahan Bakar Original Buatan Indonesia), developed from\nagricultural waste.<\/p>\n
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga reiterated that ethanol blending in fuel is\nnot new; it is a global standard.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/economist-public-need-not-worry-about-indonesias-fuel-reserves-1772643852", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }