Bahlil Reveals Energy Deal Outcome with US, Ready to Spend US$15 Billion on Imports
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that Indonesia will spend approximately US$15 billion to purchase energy from the United States. The purchases will cover ready-to-use fuel (BBM), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and crude oil.
“From the ESDM sector, we will spend roughly around 15 billion US dollars,” Bahlil said following the signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and US President Donald Trump in Washington DC.
The total value comprises LPG purchases worth US$3.5 billion, crude oil worth US$4.5 billion, and refined gasoline worth US$7 billion.
However, Bahlil emphasised that the US$15 billion allocation for purchasing fuel from America does not mean increasing the overall volume of energy imports. The government is merely redirecting a portion of its import sources from several countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa to the United States.
“This is not about adding to import volumes; it is a diversion from other countries,” Bahlil explained.
Under the new arrangement, Indonesia’s overall energy import volume will remain relatively stable, with the only difference being the source country of supply. Indonesia currently imports approximately 7 million tonnes of LPG per year, with a portion already sourced from the United States. This volume will be increased under the new scheme, with the US share of LPG imports set to rise from the current 57 per cent to 70 per cent.
The imports will be carried out by state-owned enterprise PT Pertamina (Persero). In accordance with President Prabowo’s directive, following the completion of a 90-day finalisation process, the government will move directly to the execution phase to ensure swift implementation.
Bahlil stated that the government will ensure fair and mutually beneficial economic mechanisms are maintained throughout the process. The energy trade deal forms part of the broader reciprocal trade agreement signed by the two presidents on 19 February 2026, aimed at rebalancing the trade relationship between Indonesia and the United States.