Indonesia to Continue Russian Oil Imports Amid Market Volatility

Indonesia will continue importing Russian crude oil as long as it remains economically viable and compliant with international regulations, according to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. Speaking at a meeting in Jakarta, Lahadalia emphasized that meeting national energy demands and protecting public interests are top government priorities amid global market volatility.

The confirmation comes as domestic crude oil production falls short of targets, with ministry data recording output at 571,731 barrels per day as of September 8, missing the 2026 lifting target of 610,000 barrels per day. To bridge the deficit, Indonesia is executing a multi-phase import plan totaling 150 million barrels of Russian crude through the end of 2026.

The procurement mechanism is anchored in Presidential Regulation No. 26/2026, enacted in April to bolster national energy security by streamlining imports of petroleum, fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for domestic refineries. Lahadalia confirmed that following the arrival of the first shipment in August, the second procurement phase is underway.