Indonesia discussing oil refinery plan with India's Essar Group, energy minister says

JAKARTA, - Indonesia's energy minister Bahlil ‍Lahadalia on Thursday said he has met ⁠with Indian conglomerate Essar Group and Indonesia's state energy firm Pertamina to discuss a plan to ‌develop ‌an oil refinery in the country.

In the meeting, ‌Bahlil said they discussed the strengthening of Indonesia's domestic oil refining capacity and value-added industries, according to a post on his verified Instagram account.

"This investment plan ​is expected to align with ‌government policy ‍and contribute to strengthening national ‍energy security," Bahlil said, without sharing further ‌details.


Pertamina, Essar and a spokesperson for Bahlil did not immediately respond to a Reuters request seeking comments and details about the plan.

Indonesia aims to lower its fuel ‍imports as part of ambitious goals set by President Prabowo ‍Subianto to ⁠achieve energy self-sufficiency.

Pertamina ⁠has long-standing plans to upgrade many of its refineries and has recently concluded the $7.4 billion upgrade of its Balikpapan facility.

Pertamina has also merged its refinery and logistic units to improve its downstream business operations.