RDMP Development is a Lot of Drama, Bahlil: Whether it Burns or Burns

BALIKPAPAN - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that the development of the Balikpapan Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project in East Kalimantan in the process faces many challenges. This was revealed by Bahlil when delivering his remarks at the Inauguration of Pertamina Integrated Energy Infrastructure, Balikpapan RDMP, Monday, January 12.

"This RDMP project, Mr. President (Prabowo Subianto), has many drafts. I have to be honest, there are many drafts," said Bahlil, Monday, January 12.

Bahlil explained that the largest refinery project in Indonesia which started in 2016 should have been inaugurated since the beginning of May 2024, but then experienced a fire incident on May 25, 2024 in the crude distillation unit or crude distillation unit (CDU) IV.

"I don't understand whether it was burned because it was on fire or burned because there were other factors," said Bahlil.

He then ordered the Inspector General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to conduct an investigation together with PT Pertamina (Persero).

"It turns out that there are shrimp behind the stone, there are parties who are not willing to be self-sufficient. So that imports continue, we will solve it soon," continued Bahlil.

Bahlil also reported that with this inauguration, RDMP Balikpapan can increase the oil production capacity from 260,000 barrels to 360,000 barrels with Euro V-equivalent quality.

This project has also succeeded in absorbing 24,000 workers and a Domestic Component Rate of 30 percent with an increase in GDP of Rp514 trillion per year.

On the other hand, RDMP Balikpapan is also believed to be able to save more than Rp60 trillion in foreign exchange because it is able to increase oil production by 100,000 barrels.

"There will be no imports of solar in the future. Because the solar needs of 3.8 million with B40-B50 we add 5 million, even a surplus of 1 million, in the second semester I ask Pertamina to build (RDMP) so that it does not import again," he said.