Gasoline and LPG Consumption Predicted to Increase in Aceh

Aceh, May 1, 2022 - Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the Aceh region is predicted to experience an increase in fuel consumption, especially Gasoline and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). It was conveyed by Taufikurachman, Area Manager of Communication Relations & CSR Sumbagut of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Thursday (28/4/2022).

"We predict that there will be an increase in the demand for Gasoline and LPG ahead of Idul Fitri in Aceh," he said.

According to Taufikurachman, this year's homecoming is expected to experience a spike, especially after two years of the pandemic, where people cannot participate in homecoming travels. Pertamina has formed a Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (RAFI) Task Force. The Task Force implementation starts from April 11 to May 10, 2022.

"The RAFI Task Force will work 24 hours to ensure that people's energy needs are properly met," he said.

Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut predicts an increase in the number of fuel and LPG needs during the RAFI Task Force period. At least there will be a nine percent increase in demand or an increase of 169 KL for Gasoline and eight percent or 30 MT for LPG. Meanwhile, Gasoil is predicted to decrease by five percent or 55 KL compared to daily consumption.

"We are also preparing additional services, including standby petrol stations, standby LPG outlets, motorists, mobile storage, and Pertashop. We will provide mobile storage in Central Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, and Pidie districts," Taufikurachman said.

Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut also expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the government, TNI, Polri, and the public regarding the subsidized fuel monitoring to make it more targeted.

On the other hand, to support the B30 policy implementation, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut has made an initial trading cargo supply for Sodium Methylate Oxide (SMO) products. The initial supply was given to PT Sari Dumai Sejati on April 11, 2022, from Belawan to the Dumai supply point.

The purpose of supplying this SMO product is to support the production of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME). "This FAME will be used as a blending material for biofuels that supports the government's B30 policy," he said.

He explained that SMO is a chemical produced from mixing Methanol with Sodium Hydroxide. SMO is used as a catalyst for the transesterification process with vegetable oil and other chemicals to make FAME, which is then distributed to Pertamina Fuel Terminals throughout Indonesia as a biodiesel blending material.

"The use of SMO as a catalyst will help the production of FAME in Indonesia," Taufikurachman said.

Meanwhile, Samuel Hamonangan Lubis, Region Manager of Corporate Sales of Sumbagut, said that ten ISO tanks had been ordered with a capacity of 225 Metric Tons (MT) for SMO supply needs.

"With a potential demand for SMO products of 35,000 to 75,000 MT a year in all areas of Sumbagut (Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, West Sumatra, and Riau Islands) for sustainable supply," Samuel said.

He said in 2022, the target is to have a product portfolio sold by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, especially Sumbagut Corporate Sales, for the FAME market, namely Methanol, which can reach 9,000 MT. Thus, it can meet the needs of the Indonesian people for B30 products.

For more information regarding products from Pertamina, contact Pertamina Call Center service at 135 or through the MyPertamina application.**