Minister Bahlil Tasks Lemigas to Import Oil from Russia

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia has tasked the Lemigas Oil and Gas Testing Centre (BBPMGB) with importing crude oil from Russia. This move is part of the realisation of a commitment to import 150 million barrels of oil from Russia in stages until the end of 2026, following President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Russia.

In accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive via Presidential Regulation Number 26 of 2026 regarding the Procurement of Crude Oil, Fuel Oil, and/or Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) for National Energy Security, Bahlil stated that he will initiate communications with Lemigas. This communication will involve the Public Service Agency (BLU) in the energy sector, specifically Lemigas, to manage imports of crude oil, fuel oil, and LPG.

“Today I will begin communications, because the President’s directive through the Presidential Regulation expects that energy imports can also be managed by a BLU, in this case, Lemigas,” said B_ahlil. The objective of having Lemigas manage energy sector imports is to shorten the existing import supply chain.

Bahlil added that importing energy commodities through Lemigas also enables government-to-government (G to G) transactions. “So, if the President enters into cooperation with other countries regarding crude oil, it can be directly G to G, and followed up through G to B, via the state,” he explained.

This regulation is enshrined in Article 4 of Presidential Regulation Number 26 of 2026, which stipulates that the implementation of imports by energy sector BLUs must be carried out in accordance with cooperation agreements. BLUs are permitted to conduct imports based on agreements, whether through inter-governmental cooperation or between the Central Government and overseas suppliers.

Furthermore, Article 5 of Presidential Regulation Number 26 of 2026 allows both BLUs and Pertamina to conduct emergency imports despite price fluctuations based on quantity, product type, country of origin, and delivery time, subject to purchase contract agreements. Such emergency situations must be determined by the minister responsible for oil and gas affairs, namely the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.