Indonesia's Middle East Crude Oil Imports Limited to 25%, Government Plans to Diversify Sources

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that crude oil imports from the Middle East account for only 20-25 per cent of the nation’s total crude requirements.

Lahadalia explained that Indonesia sources crude oil from multiple countries across Africa, Angola, the Middle East, the United States, Brazil, Australia, and several other nations. “How much do we import from the Middle East for crude? That totals 20 to 25 per cent. From our total national demand, we import crude from the Middle East at 20 to 25 per cent,” he said during a podcast on 11 March 2026.

The Minister emphasised that the public need not be concerned about domestic fuel supply conditions even if oil distribution is disrupted in the Middle East. Importantly, Indonesia does not import finished petroleum products such as petrol from the Middle East but rather crude oil, which is subsequently refined at domestic refineries.

The government plans to redirect part of its crude oil imports to countries including the United States, Angola, several African nations, and Latin American countries. “These include America, Angola, some countries in Africa, and Latin America, where Pertamina already has some operations. So we are shifting away from Middle Eastern sources. Even if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, that 20 to 25 per cent we are already redirecting to other countries,” Lahadalia said.