Government forms task force to crack down on "illegal drilling"

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government, together with law enforcement agencies, will form a task force for regulating illegal drilling to crack down on illegal oil wells.

Director of Specific Criminal Acts (Dirtipidter) of Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General of Police Moh. Irhamni, at the Bareskrim Polri Building in Jakarta on Wednesday, stated that global oil prices are currently soaring high.

To anticipate this, the Indonesian government requires domestic oil reserves. However, there are still many illegal oil wells at present.

Therefore, Polri, together with SKK Migas, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and Pertamina, is initiating the formation of a task force to regulate illegal oil wells in several regions, including Sumatra and Kalimantan.

“This task force will operate in accordance with orders from the leadership, between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and SKK Migas. It will coordinate with the leadership of the National Police Chief on when we are instructed to carry out the activities,” he said.

To finalise the formation of the task force, he mentioned that a forum group discussion (FGD) is being held on Wednesday to discuss the technical aspects of the regulation.

On the same occasion, Special Staff to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Retired Police Commissioner General Rudy Sufahriadi, explained that based on Ministerial Regulation No. 14 of 2025, the oil wells existing in communities can be purchased by Pertamina.

“They can be purchased by Pertamina, and Medco Energi will also participate, becoming non-illegal with the condition that there is a cooperation agreement and the specific wells are designated,” he said.

From the regulated wells, he stated, they will become a new source of materials for Pertamina. This policy will apply for four years and will not open permits for new wells.

“No new wells. Outside of those wells, regulation will be enforced, that’s all,” he said.