Bahlil Assures No Cuts to Gas Export Quotas in 2026
Tangerang, Banten — Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has assured that there will be no reductions to gas export quotas in 2026, reversing the situation in 2025 when quotas were cut to meet domestic LNG needs.
‘I promise you all, 2026 there will be no more cuts to export quotas for the market or for contracts already signed abroad,’ Bahlil told energy sector players attending IPA Convex in Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday.
Bahlil admitted that 2025 saw dynamics around fulfilling gas export contracts. In 2025, domestic LNG supply fell short by 50 cargoes. The LNG shortfall was caused by domestic demand rising beyond government planning.
Meanwhile, the operators of gas working areas (WK) that produce LNG had already entered into export contracts.
The LNG export contracts were signed because during the development planning phase or plan of development (POD) for WK, the WK operators had to ensure a clear market for LNG. When WK is in the POD phase, the domestic market cannot absorb the LNG produced.
On the other hand, President Prabowo Subianto is pushing energy sovereignty, including by reducing dependence on imports.
To seek a middle ground, the government decided to delay a number of export cargoes to 2026 to satisfy domestic needs.
‘Now I have approved all the exports. Everything has been signed by me, there will be no more (export cuts). Let the domestic needs be our focus,’ Bahlil said.
The government is also prepared to provide certainty regarding gas buyers should contractors working under a cooperation contract (KKKS) have difficulty finding buyers abroad, while still aiming to develop gas reserves.
The government will prepare potential gas buyers from several sectors that can absorb large volumes.
Thus, the KKKS are not hesitant to invest and continue projects.
‘I’ve asked Danantara, namely PLN, PGN, and several other companies to be the buyers domestically. We will buy to ensure certainty. So that everything can run,’ said Bahlil.