Pertamina imports 5m barrels of crude in March

State oil, gas company PT Pertamina (Persero) said that crude oil import in March would equal the previous month?s volume of 5 million barrels, citing the absence of increase in demand.

The volume of import has no impact on the start of operation of the company?s refinery in Balongan, Indramayu,Director of Marketing and Trading Djaelani Sutomo said on Monday.

When asked if the uprising in Middle East disrupted the oil import, he said the impact was minimal but in general the supply was so far secure.

?We mostly import from Saudi Arabia and Singapore. There is an impact, but only a little, thanks to support from ASEAN countries. So far we maintain the stock and the operation of refinery. Our stock is adequate and we have not met obstacles,? he said. (giok)