Oil Imports from the United States Have Begun in Phases, Bahlil Explains Why They Cannot Be Implemented All at Once

Jakarta — The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) chief Bahlil Lahadalia said crude oil imports from the United States, as part of shifting oil imports away from the Middle East, are currently being implemented gradually. ‘It's already starting to run. In stages, yes, in stages,’ Bahlil said at the ESDM Ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday evening, 4 March 2026.

He explained that Indonesia cannot import all at once due to limited capacity for storing crude oil. Consequently, in addition to diverting oil imports from the Middle East to the United States, Indonesia is also responding to the US–Israel–Iran conflict by accelerating storage development. Indonesia will increase storage capacity from the current maximum of 25–26 days to 90 days, or three months, in line with international standards.

‘I have reported to the President (Prabowo Subianto), and the President has directed that construction begin immediately. Why? Because we need survival,’ Bahlil said.

Currently, Indonesia is reportedly attracting investors for the storage project, planned to be located in Sumatra. The storage development phase is now undergoing a feasibility study before entering the construction phase. Bahlil targets the storage construction to commence this year.