50% of Indonesia's Petrol Fuel Needs Still Imported

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has revealed that around 50% of Indonesia’s fuel oil (BBM) needs for petrol are still fulfilled through imports.

Initially, Bahlil explained that national petrol consumption currently stands at around 39 to 40 million kilolitres per year. Meanwhile, domestic production capacity before the RDMP Balikpapan project was approximately 14.3 million kilolitres.

With the additional capacity from RDMP Balikpapan of around 5.6 to 5.7 million kilolitres, total domestic production has increased to nearly 20 million kilolitres per year.

“From there, our domestic production before RDMP Balikpapan was 14.3 million. The addition from RDMP Balikpapan is 5.6-5.7 million KL. So nearly 20 million kilolitres. That means our imports are down to 50%,” said Bahlil at the Ministry of ESDM on Friday (17/4/2026).

He then detailed that Indonesia’s current petrol imports mostly come from countries in the Southeast Asia region. This also clarifies the issue claiming that Indonesia will import BBM from Russia.

“So we have no imports of BBM from the Middle East or African countries or America or other countries. That needs to be clear first, yeah. Don’t keep asking me like that,” Bahlil stated.

Previously, Bahlil reported to President Prabowo Subianto that the government has secured crude oil supplies from Russia. This was revealed by Bahlil after a limited meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (16/4/2026).

As is known, Bahlil met face-to-face with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev on Tuesday (15/4/2026). This meeting was a follow-up to high-level discussions between President Prabowo and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin the day before.

Not only securing crude oil supplies, according to him, the meeting also resulted in commitments from the Russian side to build infrastructure in Indonesia to enhance energy resilience.

“Alhamdulillah, following the President’s instructions yesterday, I met with the Energy Minister and Special Envoy from President Putin, and the news is quite encouraging that we will receive crude supplies from Russia and the Russian side is ready to build several important infrastructures to increase our national reserves and energy resilience,” said Bahlil, after the meeting at the Palace, on Thursday (16/4/2026).

In addition, his side is also continuing intensive communication regarding LPG supplies for Indonesia from Russia. Considering that Indonesia imports around 7 million tonnes of LPG every year.