Pertamina Optimizes Domestic Refinery Production to Ensure National Fuel Sufficient

Jakarta, April 8, 2021 - To ensure the national fuel stock is sufficient after the T-301 Tank incident, Commission VII of the Indonesian Parliament visited the Balongan Refinery, Indramayu, West Java, Thursday (8/4). This visit was led by the Chairman of Commission VII, Sugeng Suparwoto. Also present were Deputy Chairman of Commission VII Alex Nurdin, Commission VII Working Visit Team, Director General of Oil and Gas, Tutuka Ariadji, President Director of Pertamina, Nicke Widyawati, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pertamina Refining & Petrochemical Subholding, Djoko Priyono, and Deputy Regent of Indramayu, Lucky Hakim.

Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI, Sugeng Suparwoto, appreciated Pertamina’s respond on various input from Commission VII DPR RI regarding handling the incident at Tank T-301 in the Balongan Refinery area.

Commission VII DPR RI also positively welcomed Pertamina's efforts to optimize refineries to maintain a sufficient national fuel and LPG supply.  Even though an incident occurred at Tank T-301, Pertamina would not increase fuel imports with refinery optimization.

"During this visit, we want to get a comprehensive picture of the conceptual data, and see the empirical reality in the field, witness it firsthand. Therefore, Commission VII can carry out surveillance properly, accurately, precisely, and also find solutions," Sugeng said. 

President Director of Pertamina, Nicke Widyawati, said that since the beginning of the incident, Pertamina has continued seeking and guaranteeing the supply of fuel, Avtur, and LPG by optimizing Pertamina's refineries.

"The next step is refinery reactivation, refinery recovery. It is also because only the tanks were affected by this incident. The refinery has no problem, so as soon as possible, when the fire is extinguished, and we can ensure that the cooling runs smoothly in the area, the refinery can be reactivated," explained Nicke.

Nicke added that Pertamina also prioritizes handling environmental impacts to see the environmental quality of air, water, and waste to prevent negative impacts. Pertamina has also helped the refugees return to their homes.

"We will manage the impact well," added Nicke.

Nicke added that Pertamina has also formed an internal and external investigation team with experts who can carry out investigations and analysis. Therefore the results can answer all the questions.

Deputy Regent of Indramayu, Lucky Hakim, said that currently, all the refugees have returned to their homes. His party will coordinate through the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum to the Village Heads (kuwu) to hear the community's aspirations.

"We will hear the wishes of the people who talk about relocation and others. So far, data is still fluctuating or dynamic, and more coordination is needed to ensure further, "said Lucky.**