Energy Minister: No Need to Panic, Fuel Oil Stocks Always Available

Jakarta — Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has emphasised that fuel oil (BBM) stocks are always available across the country, and the public need not be anxious or panic into excessive purchasing.

“National fuel supply is in a safe condition because production and distribution continue to operate to meet public demand in accordance with operational stock standards set by the government,” the minister stated during the ESDM Ministry’s Bukan Abuleke Podcast broadcast in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Bahlil explained that the capacity of domestic fuel storage tanks is indeed limited. “With the limited storage tank capacity we have, our storage capacity does not exceed 25 days. Meanwhile, available stocks have a capacity of up to 23 days. However, this does not mean the stock will run out in 23 days. That is not what it means. That is the storage capacity,” he clarified.

The figure merely indicates the amount of stock that can be stored in storage tanks at any given time.

To clarify how the supply system operates, Bahlil offered a simple analogy: fuel oil stocks are like a water tank that automatically refills when volume decreases. “If fuel stocks flow out for three days, then production from our refineries also flows out to replenish existing stocks. It comes in again, fills up again, like the water tank in our houses. Yes, like that. Water tank at home, used for bathing, after it empties the pump automatically starts again. So, do not think that in 21 days our oil will be exhausted. That is not what it means,” he explained.