Sidoarjo's Gas Pipeline Paradox: Abundance Meets Slow Development

The abundance of natural gas in Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, has not led to significant improvement in urban gas networks.

According to Agung Kuswardono, Director of Oil and Gas Infrastructure Planning and Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the development of gas pipelines in Sidoarjo began in 2010 as part of the national program initiated in 2009.

The program aims to provide direct benefits to residents by reducing household expenditures on gas energy needs by up to 40 percent. However, despite being an oil and gas producing region, only 4.4 percent of households have access to the gas pipeline network in Sidoarjo, with a total of 29,961 household connections.

Linda Widaningsih, a resident who has been using the gas pipeline since 2021, reported that her fuel cost for cooking decreased by up to 50 percent. She spent an average of Rp 35,000 per month on gas usage, down from approximately Rp 70,000 for LPG.