Pertamina?s East Java unit to open five biodiesel gas stations in Surabaya

State oil and gas company PT Pertamina?s East Java unit is set to open five biodiesel gas stations in mid August 2006 in the Surabaya, the Investor Daily Indonesia newspaper reported in its Monday edition.

The five stations will be opened in areas of Dr Soetomo, Pasar Turi, Jemursari, Perak Barat and M Natsir.

?At a time the oil prices are continuously on the rise, there is a need for alternative fuels like biodiesel. This policy (the sale of biodiesel) can save Rp 14 trillion in the country's foreign exchange earnings,? Pertamina's East Java general manager Djoko Prasetyo said during a seminar on "Biodiesel?s Marketing" in Surabaya recently.

Biodiesel was already available in Jakarta. For Surabaya market, there is a need for 4,000 kiloliters per day. The five-biodiesel gas stations need around 80 kiloliters. Besides, Pertamina in East Java is also marketing biothanol, which has been produced in Lawang whereas biodiesel is in Gresik.

Biothanol and biodiesel will be sold at the government?s subsidized prices. (*)