Securing Commitment for 150 Million Barrels of Russian Oil, Deputy Minister of ESDM: To Meet Needs Until Year-End

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung has revealed that Indonesia will import 150 million barrels of crude oil from Russia.

The import commitment stems from President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Russia in mid-April 2026, accompanied by ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.

Yuliot stated that the oil imports are intended to meet national needs until the end of the year.

“The commitment to import oil from Russia is the result of recent negotiations. We have agreed on a total import of around 150 million barrels from Russia to suffice our needs until the end of the year,” he said at the Ministry of ESDM in Jakarta on Friday (24/4/2026).

Two options are being considered: imports through a state-owned enterprise (BUMN), specifically PT Pertamina (Persero), or through a public service agency (BLU).

Yuliot explained that the BLU option is under consideration because imports via BUMN involve procurement consequences, such as mandatory tenders, unlike government-to-government (G2G) cooperation schemes.

“So now, we are just determining the instrument for how we will import it. Whether directly through BUMN or BLU? These are two options, and we are preparing the regulatory framework,” he said.

“Because if through BUMN, there are consequences, and also for BLU, what are the conveniences, including financing? That is also being discussed between ministries and agencies,” Yuliot continued.

He added that the imports from Russia will not be done all at once, but gradually.

This takes into account the limited domestic oil storage capacity.

“This cannot be done all at once. If all at once, we would need oil storage in the country. So, imports will be carried out in stages,” he said.