Indonesia's Fuel Stock Lasts 20 Days, Bahlil: There Simply Isn't Any Storage Capacity

Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, explained why Indonesia’s fuel stock lasts only 20 days. The remarks followed concerns after the Hormuz Strait was closed, given that Pertamina has warned that 19% of Indonesia’s oil imports originate from the Middle East via the Hormuz route. According to Bahlil, the 20-day stock is the maximum storage capacity for BBM domestically. ‘Don’t misinterpret this; for a long time our storage capacity in Indonesia has not been more than 21-25 days. So the national minimum standard is 20-21 days, with a maximum of 25 days,’ he said at the Presidential Palace complex on Wednesday (4 March 2026). Bahlil also noted that Pertamina’s report shows Indonesia’s BBM stock currently stands at 22-23 days. ‘Why don’t we hold more than 25 days’ stock? If we did, where would we store it? The storage capacity isn’t enough. So please be clear: it’s not that we can’t prepare more than 25 days; it’s simply that there isn’t the capacity,’ he added. Additionally, Bahlil explained that President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the construction of BBM storage refineries to extend Indonesia’s energy resilience. The target is to reach BBM stock lasting three months. ‘God willing, storage up to three months will be the minimum global consensus standard,’ he said.