Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Yuliot Tanjung, confirmed that private downstream oil and gas companies will be allowed to resume importing crude oil for their own fuel needs starting in 2026.

Yuliot stated that the government is currently reviewing the single-channel base fuel import policy that has so far been conducted only through PT Pertamina (Persero), in order to offer fuel to private gas stations that are experiencing shortages.

He assured that private companies will not continuously purchase base fuel from Pertamina, as next year each company will have its own import quota for crude oil determined by the government.

“This will not be permanent. There will be allocations for each company, and based on those allocations, they will import on their own,” Yuliot explained during a meeting at Wisma Danantara, Tuesday (30/9/2025).

Regarding base fuel procurement through Pertamina, Yuliot emphasized that the ESDM Ministry cannot force private companies to buy from Pertamina because these transactions are business-to-business (B2B).

The government has facilitated the purchase of base fuel supplied by Pertamina to fill gaps in fuel stock at private gas stations.

“If the private companies do not agree to purchase, the government cannot compel them because this is a B2B process,” he added.

PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (PPN) Corporate Secretary, Roberth MV Dumatubun, confirmed that out of 100,000 barrels of the first stage imported base fuel cargo, only 60,000 barrels were used by Pertamina because private gas stations had not reached a purchase agreement.

So far, only Vivo gas stations have agreed to buy base fuel from Pertamina with a volume of 40,000 barrels, leaving 60,000 barrels from the first batch.

If the fuel remains unsold, Pertamina will use the base fuel for itself.

“The 60,000 barrels of unabsorbed cargo are currently being used by Pertamina,” Roberth said on Tuesday (30/9/2025).

Previously, the government had shortened the import license duration for private fuel companies to 6 months from the usual one year, granting a 10% higher quota for 2025 compared to last year’s realization.

However, due to high demand at private gas stations, the Ministry of ESDM refused to provide additional quota recommendations, resulting in supply disruptions across almost all private gas stations.

As a compromise, Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia decided that private gas station fuel needs would be met by Pertamina through base fuel imports, which are basic fuels without additive blends.

“The import quota for private companies was given at 110% compared to 2024. However, this quota ran out before December 31. Therefore, the government continues to meet the demand through collaboration with Pertamina,” Bahlil explained (19/9/2025).

According to ESDM data, Pertamina Patra Niaga still has 34% of its fuel import quota remaining, around 7.52 million kiloliters, allowing it to import an additional 571,748 kiloliters to meet private gas station demand.