WNAM REPORT: Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia reported that Indonesia is close to finalizing a deal with Russia to import crude oil.
“As for talks on crude oil, I believe we are already at the final stage,” Lahadalia said after briefing President Prabowo Subianto on the progress of negotiations with Russia.
Addressing the press at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, Lahadalia described his meeting with the Russian government in Moscow on Tuesday (April 14) as quite fruitful.
“We will secure a crude oil supply from Russia. In fact, the Russian side has voiced readiness to help Indonesia build several key pieces of infrastructure to strengthen our energy reserves and security,” he remarked.
The minister also spoke of having initiated negotiations to import liquefied petroleum gas from Russia, noting that it might take Indonesia two to three additional meetings to seal an agreement.
He underscored that the ongoing discussion with Russia is part of the government’s broader energy security agenda, driven by apparent disruptions to global supply amid rising geopolitical tensions and security risks in the Middle East.
In this regard, the minister pointed out that Indonesia relies on imports to offset a daily deficit of around one million barrels of crude oil, as it consumes about 1.6 million barrels of oil equivalent in fuels per day compared with about 600,000 barrels produced daily.
“Global circumstances have prompted the government to seek alternative oil sources, reaching out to more than one country,” he stated.
On the same occasion, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya explained that, after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Prabowo specifically assigned Lahadalia to negotiate with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov to advance energy talks.
“He (Lahadalia) has briefed Mr. President on the negotiation results,” he said.
