Foreign Ministry: Indonesia Prioritises Energy Security Through Cooperation with Various Parties

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) states that the government’s priority is to ensure the urgent energy security of the Indonesian people through cooperation with various partners such as the US and Russia.

This was conveyed by Kemlu spokesperson Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela during a media briefing in Jakarta on Thursday, in response to questions regarding the European Union’s proposal to ASEAN member countries to seek alternative oil sources other than from Russia.

“In the midst of the current highly dynamic geopolitical situation, we need to secure energy resilience as a very urgent national interest, and we are cooperating with various partners, including the United States and Russia,” Nabyl explained.

According to him, Indonesia is also open to pursuing stronger cooperation with all parties, including the European Union, to achieve energy resilience that ensures affordability, reliability, availability, and long-term stability.

On 24 April, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated that Indonesia is committed to importing 150 million barrels of oil from Russia, to be carried out gradually until the end of 2026.

“The imports will be carried out gradually,” said Deputy Minister of ESDM Yuliot Tanjung.

He stated that the oil imports from Russia cannot be done all at once due to limitations in domestic storage facilities, and explained that the oil will be used for transportation, industry, mining, and as petrochemical raw materials according to needs.

“For fulfilling needs until the end of the year. 150 million barrels,” said Yuliot.

He also mentioned that Indonesia’s commitment to importing crude oil from the US is still ongoing.

The deputy minister conveyed that Indonesia’s daily oil needs are around 1.6 million barrels, while domestic oil production is in the range of 600,000 barrels per day.

“That means we import around 1 million barrels, more or less. If calculated (for the whole year), 150 million is still insufficient. We are seeking additional supplies from other countries, including from the United States,” said Yuliot.