MEMR asks private fuel retailers to buy diesel from Pertamina from April
Monday, February 9 2026 - 12:49 PM WIB
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) has asked private operators of public fuel filling stations (SPBU)—including Shell, BP-AKR, and Vivo—to begin purchasing domestically produced diesel from state-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina (Persero) starting April 2026.
Director General of Oil and Gas Laode Sulaeman said the directive aligns with the government’s policy to halt diesel imports this year, as domestic supply is expected to be in surplus. The surplus follows the operation of the Balikpapan Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project and the implementation of the mandatory 40% biodiesel blend (B40).
MEMR has also sent official letters to private fuel retailers, urging them to immediately establish business-to-business (B2B) cooperation with Pertamina for diesel procurement.
“We have sent letters to all business entities stating that until March 2026, we will still use the 2025 import quota. After that, starting in April, they must immediately carry out B2B cooperation with Pertamina for diesel procurement,” Laode said in a ministry podcast on Sunday.
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According to Laode, there has been no resistance from private companies so far. Some retailers have instead requested the ministry’s assistance in facilitating communication with Pertamina.
Separately, Laode said there are several preparations that Pertamina must complete to ensure a smooth transition in supplying diesel to private fuel stations. During the transition period, Pertamina is expected to prepare sufficient loading ports, cargo volumes adjusted to each retailer’s demand, and specifications for pure diesel or base fuel tailored to the needs of private operators.
These issues have been discussed in meetings between MEMR and private fuel retailers as part of mitigation efforts to ensure there is no disruption to domestic diesel supply once the import ban takes effect in April.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak