Pertamina to build two giant oil tanks in C. Java

State oil and gas company PT Pertamina's processing unit IV in Cilacap, Central Java, will soon build two giant tanks to accommodate crude oil, with each having a capacity of 600,000 barrels, in order to overcome the fuel shortage problem in the island of Java. Suara Karya reported Wednesday.

Pertamina's processing unit IV General Manager Yulien Trilaksono said Tuesday that the construction of the two tanks on some 112,000 square meters of land complete with supporting facilities was aimed to provide sufficient crude oil stock before being processed in the refinery in Cilacap as part of the company's strategic efforts to ensure the sufficient supply of fuel for consumers, especially in island of Java.

Yulien did not provide information on when the construction of the project will start.

"Experience has shown that under the normal condition, the crude oil stock in our refineries is only enough for 14 - 18 days. When the two giant tanks are completely constructed, it is guaranteed that the amount of crude oil stock will be on the increase," Yulien said.

Currently, the refinery in Cilacap have a capacity of 230,000 barrels per day, of which 60 percent is supplied to Java to meet fuel needs in the island.

Earlier, Pertamina and Mitsui will team up to construct a $1.3 billion expansion to increase gasoline production at the refinery. (*)