Indonesia Turns to African Alternative Oil Sources to Mitigate Energy Volatility

Indonesia is continuing to optimise alternative oil sources on the African continent to address national energy volatility resulting from tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno. “We are now collaborating extensively with Algeria, Nigeria, Angola; many African countries,” Havas said following a working meeting with Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday. Indonesia’s current strategy, according to Havas, is to secure oil supplies from regions that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has again been closed off due to tensions between the United States and Iran. This criterion makes Africa a fitting alternative as an energy source for Indonesia, he added. “We have already received a significant amount of oil supply from Africa. So far, we are doing just fine,” Havas stated.

“We are looking for many countries there with oil and gas potential. Almost all countries in Latin America have the potential,” Havas noted. In April, Pertamina Vice President of Corporate Communication Muhammad Baron stated that Indonesia was making Africa an alternative energy source amid tensions in the Middle East. “Pertamina and the Government are always seeking alternative energy resources, including from countries from which we have already been importing, through Africa and other nations,” Baron said. He also conveyed that Pertamina continues to make optimum efforts to ensure the availability of fuel and LPG for the public and industry.

The government previously recorded that around 20 to 25 per cent of Indonesia’s crude oil imports are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. The search for alternative oil imports was also planned by Pertamina after two tankers owned by Pertamina International Shipping remained detained in the Arabian Gulf area and were unable to traverse the Strait of Hormuz.