Balikpapan Refinery 99% Complete, National Fuel Stocks Declared Secure
Jakarta (ANTARA) – After inaugurating the receipt of gas from Jangkrik North East #6 (JNE#6) and the Maha-South Hub field production facilities offshore in East Kalimantan, Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia continued his journey onshore. His destination was the Balikpapan refinery, where the Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project, intended to reduce fuel imports, is entering its final stage. On Thursday (22 October), he also inspected an issue of immediate concern to the public: fuel availability.
“The RDMP as a whole is 99% complete. Only the minor details remain, as is usual with something new. New equipment has its rubber components and things like that. God willing, we will get it done,” Bahlil said.
Bahlil explained that the remaining work involves technical adjustments and commissioning new equipment so the refinery is ready to operate optimally.
While the refinery awaits full operation, the government says fuel supplies remain secure. Bahlil stressed that national fuel stocks are safe and meet minimum standards. Pertalite stocks are sufficient for 16 to 18 days, while non-subsidised RON 92, 95 and 98 fuel stocks exceed 20 days. There are also no problems with diesel, as domestic demand is being met without imports. Fuel availability in Kalimantan is broadly in line with the national average.
As well as ensuring fuel availability, Bahlil called on Pertamina to optimise distribution so subsidised fuel reaches eligible members of the public. Oversight of distribution is also being stepped up in cooperation with local governments and law enforcement agencies, including the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri), particularly to take firm action against hoarders.
Distribution challenges remain on the ground. Bahlil said the El Niño phenomenon had caused the Kapuas River in West Kalimantan to become shallower, temporarily disrupting fuel shipments. Pertamina addressed this by using ships as floating storage facilities, then transporting the fuel to its destination by road.
In the longer term, expectations rest on the Balikpapan RDMP. The National Strategic Project represents an investment of US$7.4 billion, or around Rp126 trillion, making it one of the largest investments by a state-owned enterprise at a single site.
Once fully operational, the refinery is expected to meet 22% to 25% of national fuel demand. This would strengthen supplies for the public and further reduce dependence on fuel imports, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita programme.