Pertamina plans to import LPG from US, Middle East

State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina is looking into the possibility of importing LPG from producers in the Middle East and the US to meet domestic demand, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Saturday.

The paper quoted Daniel S. Purba, Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain at the firm, as saying that factors taken into account in making the direct purchase of LPG are price, quality, and continuity of supply.

He said that Indonesia?s LPG annual demand is estimated at 6.5 million tons, of which 40 percent comes from import.

He said that Iran has committed about 44,000 tons of LPG per month, or representing about 10 percent of the import volume target.

Pertamina earlier this week received the maiden shipment of LPG from the National Iran Oil Company. ?Aside from Iran, Pertamina is looking into making direct purchase from producers in the Middle East and the US,? Daniel said, but did not provide further details. (*)