Block Mode: The Game-Changing Innovation at Cilacap Refinery to Secure Fuel Supply
As the Eid holiday season approaches and the homecoming exodus begins, Cilacap Refinery continues its relentless operations. Behind the flaming torches that mark the pulse of Indonesia’s national energy industry, workers ensure fuel supplies remain secure to meet the needs of millions travelling back to their villages.
This readiness is supported, in part, by the Block Mode operational innovation implemented since May 2024. This innovation enables Cilacap Refinery to process crude oil blends more flexibly and efficiently at Cilacap I Refinery, which previously relied solely on Middle Eastern crude oil.
Endah Purbarani, Manager of Refinery Business & Optimisation at Cilacap Refinery, explained that as Indonesia’s largest refinery, Cilacap continues to pursue various breakthroughs to maximise facilities that have been operating for decades.
“Block Mode is the result of collaboration by the Cilacap Refinery team with full support from head office. This innovation enables crude mix processing, which can increase the yield of high-value products whilst strengthening refinery performance,” said Endah on Monday (9 March 2026).
Through Block Mode innovation and cocktail crude processing, Cilacap Refinery is able to maintain production reliability whilst ensuring energy stocks remain secure during periods of increased consumption. Operations no longer rely solely on crude oil processing from the Middle East, but also on various types of crude oil with similar characteristics.
Cocktail crude is understood to be the result of blending several oils to increase operational efficiency and flexibility.
Agustiawan, Area Manager of Communication, Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility at Cilacap Refinery, stated that Cilacap Refinery has the largest capacity of 348,000 barrels per day to supply 34% of national fuel demand. Cilacap Refinery operates normally with average fuel product stocks above the minimum stockpile target set.
“Cilacap Refinery operates optimally to support the energy needs of the community. We also urge the public not to be swayed by unclear or unverified information regarding fuel availability,” he said.
The refinery continues to coordinate with various parties to ensure smooth refinery operations and energy distribution. “Through operational synergy and good communication with stakeholders, we strive to maintain refinery reliability so that the public can travel safely and comfortably during the homecoming season,” concluded Agustiawan.
For residents of Cilacap and surrounding areas, the refinery is not merely an energy processing centre, but also part of daily life. From here, energy is produced to power the vehicles that carry millions of homecoming travellers back to their villages, reuniting families during the Eid celebrations.