Shell, BP and Vivo Agree to Import Fuel Through Pertamina, Government Ensures Price Stability
Key Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia announces that private fuel retailers Shell, BP, and Vivo have agreed to import fuel through state-owned Pertamina.
The decision, taken after a meeting on Friday, Sept 19, 2025, is aimed at ensuring steady supply for private stations whose stocks have been running low, while maintaining fair pricing for both state and private players.
Bahlil said the arrangement would allow private operators to secure additional supply without drawing from Pertamina’s own refineries. Instead, the fuel will come from imports handled under Pertamina’s import quota.
“They must collaborate with Pertamina and purchase base fuel, meaning the product is not pre-mixed. The blending will be done at each station’s storage facilities,” Bahlil told reporters in Jakarta.
The minister stressed that quality control will be safeguarded through the use of joint surveyors before shipments depart. “This way, there is no dispute about quality. The surveyor will be mutually agreed upon before the cargo leaves,” said the former investment minister.
He also underlined that pricing for sales from Pertamina to private stations must be conducted fairly. “Even though Pertamina has the mandate, it cannot charge unreasonable prices. Both Pertamina and the private operators must benefit,” he said.
Import Quota and Pricing Framework
According to the Energy Ministry, Pertamina’s 2025 import quota still has a remaining allocation of 34%, equivalent to 7.52 million kiloliters. This volume is enough to cover an additional 571,748 kiloliters required by private stations until December.
Bahlil explained that while private retailers’ own import quotas have already been exhausted this year, they can access supply by purchasing through Pertamina. Deliveries are expected to begin within seven days.
“The mechanism will follow a business-to-business framework with open-book transparency,” he noted.
Concerns had been raised that the arrangement might push up retail prices at private stations. However, Bahlil assured the public that prices for non-subsidized fuel would continue to follow international oil market benchmarks.
“There will be no sudden price increases. Prices remain stable, depending on global oil prices,” he said.
Government’s Balancing Act
The government has been under pressure to ensure both supply security and fair market dynamics as competition between state and private players intensifies. The collaboration, Bahlil argued, demonstrates the state’s effort to strike a balance.
“From today, this agreement is in place. Technical meetings will follow to finalize stock allocations, and God willing, within seven days the fuel will arrive,” he added.
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