Pertamina imports gasoline from China, diesel from S?pore

State oil and gas company PT Pertamina imported 200,000 barrels of gasoline from China on Sunday in order to cover shortage in the domestic market following the shutdown of the Dumai refinery in Riau.

Following the shutdown of the refinery, Pertamina had to import 400,000 barrels of gasoline and 600,000 barrels of diesel oil to meet the domestic demands for April and May.

?On Friday, we received 200,000 barrels of gasoline from Singapore and yesterday (Sunday), we received another 200,000 barrels from China,? Pertamina?s fuel division head Djaelani Sutomo said on Monday.

The firm had also received 150,000 barrels of diesel from Singapore on Friday. ?We don?t know yet when the rest of the diesel oil will come,? Djaelani said.

Pertamina shut down the vacuum unit of the Dumai refinery for repairs in mid-April. At that time, the company said the repair works were expected to be completed in two weeks. (godang)