Deputy Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung: Dumai Refinery Only Meets 16 Percent Of National Fuel Needs

Pertamina International Refinery (KPI) Refinery Unit (RU) II Dumai, Riau. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung said the Pertamina International Refinery Unit (KPI) Refinery II Dumai, Riau, was able to meet national fuel needs.

"This visit to the Pertamina International Refinery RU II Dumai is to see how ready to meet domestic fuel needs. So, for Dumai Refinery, the capacity is around 170,000 barrels per day, capable of meeting the needs of around 16 percent of the total national needs. Apart from Dumai Refinery, KPI manages five other refineries," said Yuliot as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, December 29.

Deputy Minister accompanied by Head of the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) Erika Retnowati and Member of the BPH Committee Migas Abdul Halim, visited Dumai Refinery, which is the third largest refinery in Indonesia, after the RU V Refinery Balikpapan and RU IV Cilacap. Dumai Refinery produces Solar, Pertalite and Avtur.

According to Yuliot, the existing system at Dumai Refinery is currently the best, considering that the source of raw materials comes from around Dumai, such as Rokan Square, as well as other oil and gas fields around Riau.

This is in line with the energy self-sufficiency program launched by President Prabowo Subianto, which is capable of producing energy from within the country.

"In terms of self-sufficiency in energy, we encourage energy diversification, where energy needs are met from various other energy sources. Dumai Refinery is a good example because the raw materials come from the area," he said.

The Deputy Minister hopes that by checking in the field, he can find out what problems are faced in order to fulfill energy nationally.

The working visit to Dumai II Refinery is also related to the government's plan to carry out mandatory utilization of 40 percent biodiesel or B40 by 2025.

"We hope that the entire process of implementing B40, both the availability of FAME (fatty acid methylester) and readiness in the refinery industry, can be synchronized," he explained.

Meanwhile, regarding the availability of fuel supply during Christmas 2024 and New Year's 2025, Yuliot revealed that he was in a safe condition.

The need for fuel to welcome the New Year 2025 is expected to increase. However, a number of anticipatory efforts have been made so that the community's needs can be met.

"There has been an anticipation of the security of fuel supply in the form of the availability of raw materials and adequate processing capacity to meet the needs of the new year," he said.

On this occasion, Head of BPH Migas Erika Retnowati appealed after the Christmas/New Year 2024/2025 period, it is necessary to prepare for the availability of fuel supply to welcome the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (RAFI), where fuel needs will also increase.

"In February 2025, we will enter the RAFI period, namely the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. So, our time to prepare is very narrow. I remind you that refinery maintenance activities are carried out carefully and if there is a maintenance period (turn around) so that it is immediately anticipated and does not interfere with fuel production," he said.

Meanwhile, Member of the BPH Migas Committee Abdul Halim appreciated the cooperation carried out by all parties so that the supply of fuel during the Nataru holiday went well and smoothly.

"We should appreciate the readiness of this fuel supply. We hope that services to the community will continue to be improved and become the main thing so that people who take advantage of their time to try and vacation with their families can run smoothly. Everything can feel the energy benefits we provide together," he said.

KPI Director of Operations Didik Bahagia added that in general refinery infrastructure is in normal condition.

"The average availability of our crude oil supply is 17.8 days and this is enough to meet national needs," he said.

The Deputy Minister also visited gas stations in Pekanbaru to find out the supply of fuel ahead of the New Year 2025.

In addition to gas station managers, Yuliot also has a dialogue with people who fill fuel with a QR code, to ensure that the technology used for control and supervision is right on target. Input from the community will be taken into consideration for improving the digitization and service system in the future," he said.

The visit was continued to PT PLN, the Central Distribution and Burden Regulatory Center (UIP3B) of Sumatra.

"Overall the electricity supply during the Christmas holiday is safe. As for the new year 2025, people who want to gather with their families or travel to tourist attractions don't have to worry because the electricity supply is safe," said Yuliot.

For the Sumatra region, the power is able to reach 8.3 gigawatts (GW), while the need for a peak load is 6.8 GW, or there is a reserve of 1.5 GW.

Also accompanying on the visit were the Director General of EBTKE of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Eniya Listiani Dewi, the Special Staff of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Azhar Lubis, the Technical and Creative Economy Director of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Noor Arifin Muhammad, and the Secretary of the Directorate General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Ida Nuryatin Finahari.