Pertamina imports from Africa as alternative crude oil source

Jakarta (ANTARA) - PT Pertamina (Persero) has stated that countries in Africa are serving as an alternative source of crude oil amid geopolitical unrest in the Middle East resulting from the war between the United States (US) and Iran. “Pertamina and the government are always seeking alternative energy resources that we have, including from countries where we have already been importing, through Africa and other nations,” said Pertamina’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Muhammad Baron. When met on the sidelines of the Sustainability Champions event held in Jakarta on Thursday, Baron noted that this step is in line with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources’ remarks on alternative crude oil sources while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed due to the war. Baron conveyed that Pertamina is making every effort to ensure the availability of fuel oil and LPG for the public and industry. To maintain Indonesia’s energy resilience, he continued, Pertamina is conducting a search for the best energy sources to provide to the public. “We are exploring and importing from all sources, not just Africa,” said Baron. It was previously reported that Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that around 20 percent of Indonesia’s crude oil imports previously came from the Middle East. In mid-April 2026, Bahlil negotiated the purchase of crude oil and LPG from Russia during his meeting with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev in Russia on Tuesday (14/4).