Fuel Imports From The US Are The Government's Option To Overcome The Crisis Of Private Gas Station Stocks

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) plans to import fuel oil (BBM) from the United States (US) to overcome stock shortages at domestic private fuel filling stations (SPBU).

Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung said that at least 1.4 million kiloliters (KL) of fuel imports were needed for PT Pertamina (Persero) and private gas stations.

Even so, Yuliot emphasized that his party still asked each business entity to detail their needs.

Between private gas stations and Pertamina, we are consolidating how much import needs are. So for the needs submitted, the temporary data is 1.4 million KL. This is how much Pertamina has, how much is the private gas station, we ask for details," he said at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jakarta, Friday, September 12.

Yuliot explained that the fuel needs will be met through imports from the US.

He said this was also included in Indonesia's commitment to balance the trade balance with the US.

"So with this need, we also have an import commitment to fulfill our trade balance with America. Because not only is this the government's wish, but there is also our commitment to other parties," he said.

However, Yuliot did not explain further whether the 1.4 million KL of fuel was entirely imported from the US or not.

Even so, Yuliot revealed several US oil and gas companies that could be an option to purchase fuel, namely ExxonMobil and Chevron.

"That's a US company. So, from wherever they procure, it's up to you. But we record this as Indonesia's trade balance with America," he said.

For your information, a number of private gas stations, such as Shell and BP-AKR, have experienced a shortage of fuel stock since the end of August 2025.

Yuliot explained that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources had held a meeting with the private gas stations and Pertamina.

Currently, his party is still waiting for data reports from each business entity regarding the details of their needs.

Yuliot said that later imports would be carried out through one door, namely assignments to Pertamina.

"So for each business entity, we also have to detail it. Therefore, the import process will be carried out one door. So don't let what has been given is insufficient, or there are problems in its implementation," he said.