Secure Energy Reserves, Bareskrim Polri Prepares Task Force for Illegal Oil Drilling
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Directorate of Specific Criminal Acts (Dittipidter) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) is preparing a Task Force (Satgas) to handle illegal oil drilling on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
This readiness was announced following a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) between Polri, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), SKK Migas, and Pertamina.
“As colleagues know, regarding the development of strategic relations, oil prices are very high. Naturally, the Indonesian government requires domestic reserves. And those reserves exist. However, there are still many illegal activities occurring,” explained Irhamni at Bareskrim Polri on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
He added that the formation of the task force begins with preliminary steps to regulate illegal drilling practices in several regions such as Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.
According to Rudy, the government is striving to organise community-owned oil wells so they can be managed legally in accordance with applicable regulations.
“We have just conducted an FGD with Dittipidter to prepare for forming the task force and to carry out regulation of community mines,” he explained.
“Yes, I repeat, they can be purchased by Pertamina, and Medco will also participate, making them no longer illegal, provided there is a cooperation agreement and the wells are designated,” Rudy clarified.
He emphasised that the policy applies for four years and does not open opportunities for drilling new wells.
The government will only regulate existing wells to bring them into a legal framework.
“This applies for 4 years and there are no new wells. The existing wells now will be regulated, purchased by Pertamina, and will serve as feedstock for Pertamina, with no new wells. Outside of those wells, regulation will be enforced,” he stated.
“Thank you to Bareskrim Polri for the FGD earlier on regulating illegal drilling. Besides illegal drilling, we also discussed the possibility of regulating illegal refineries, illegal distribution, and illegal trade and commerce,” said Djoko.
He stressed that oil with permits must be sold to Pertamina or other legitimate third parties, including Medco. Activities outside these provisions will be addressed.
“So, legal oil that has obtained permits must be sold to Pertamina and other third parties like Medco. Anything outside of that will be regulated,” he said.