Fuel import up in August

State oil and gas firm PT Pertamina, said fuel imports have risen and will meet 50 percent of domestic demand in August as economic growth economy accelerates.

Shipments accounted for about 30 percent of consumption last month, Achmad Faisal, head of Pertamina's fuel division, told reporters in Jakarta Thursday.

Pertamina will import more than 17 million barrels of fuel in October after buying 17.8 million barrels in August, he said.

"Demand for gasoline, kerosene and diesel is 10 percent over our quota," Faisal said. "Without any efforts to stem consumption" total fuel demand this year may reach 65 million kiloliters, 9 percent higher than the 59.6 million kiloliters targeted in the government's budget, he said.

Energy demand may push the government's cost of keeping fuel below market prices to 130 trillion rupiah ($13 billion), assuming a crude oil price of $60 a barrel, Faisal said.(dino)