Deputy Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Asks Pertamina To Increase Oil Production, This Is The Goal

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung asked PT Pertamina (Persero) to increase national oil production to reduce dependence on imports of fuel oil (BBM).

Yuliot said this effort was in line with the direction of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in the Astacita program to realize self-sufficiency in energy.

"National energy security is very important to achieve. This concerns the guaranteed condition of availability of energy that can be accessed by the public at affordable prices, long futures, and still paying attention to environmental protection," said Yuliot as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, December 5.

He said, one of the steps that is expected to support import reduction is the implementation of plant-based fuel through the B40 biofuel program.

National oil production is currently far behind compared to consumption levels.

Whereas in 1997, Indonesia had become an oil exporter because production exceeded domestic demand, but this condition has changed drastically.

"Currently, domestic oil production is only around 600,000 barrels per day, while consumption levels are more than 1.5 million barrels per day. As a result, we must meet these needs through imports," said Yuliot.

To reduce dependence on imports, the government is pushing for increased national oil and gas production, including contributions from Pertamina, considering that the state-owned company currently accounts for 60 percent of total national oil production, or about 400,000 barrels per day.

"The government is targeting an increase in national oil production of up to 700,000 barrels per day by 2025-2026. With Pertamina's projected contribution remaining at 60 percent, Pertamina's production target is expected to reach 480,000 barrels per day, an increase of about 20 percent of current production," he said.

In addition, Yuliot emphasized the importance of synergy between governments, business entities, and SOEs such as Pertamina to achieve the national energy security target.

"The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Pertamina have a big responsibility to maintain national energy security. This requires strong collaboration so that the President's direction to realize self-sufficiency in energy can be realized," he said.