Bahlil: Crude Imports from Russia Targeted to Start in April 2026
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia is targeting crude oil imports from Russia to be delivered to Indonesia starting in April 2026. Meanwhile, the purchase of LPG from Russia is still in the finalisation process.
“For crude, for crude, it could be in these months (April). Insha’Allah,” Bahlil stated when met at the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta on Friday (17/4/2026).
The percentage of LPG imported from Russia relative to Indonesia’s total needs is still under discussion.
Bahlil explained that Indonesia’s LPG needs in 2026 are projected to reach 10 million tonnes, with domestic production capability at only 1.6 million tonnes. Thus, around 8.4 million tonnes will be met through imports.
Before the outbreak of war between the United States (US) and Israel against Iran, 70-75 percent of Indonesia’s LPG imports came from the US, 20 percent from the Middle East, and the remainder from several other countries, including Australia.
“Once Saudi Aramco was hit by missiles in their factories, in their industry, it will certainly affect the global market,” Bahlil said.
Therefore, Indonesia will import crude oil and LPG from Russia as an alternative source to the crude oil and LPG previously imported from the Middle East region.
The Indonesia-Russia cooperation is the result of energy sector negotiations during President Prabowo Subianto and Minister of ESDM Bahlil Lahadalia’s visit to Russia on Monday (13/4).
Thus, Russia becomes an alternative energy supplier to Indonesia amid the current global energy crisis due to the war between
“In my meeting with the Russian Minister of Energy and government, it has been agreed that we will receive support. We will purchase crude from Russia. We are also doing this in other countries, including the United States,” Bahlil said.
These steps are the government’s strategy to ensure the reliability of energy supplies amid uncertain geopolitical conditions.
“So, there must be diversification. Insha’Allah, our crude will improve even more,” he said.