"All are now in negotiations. Previously, some were reluctant; now all parties are negotiating," said Laode Sulaeman, the ministry’s Director General of Oil and Gas.
Earlier, only three companies — PT Vivo Energy Indonesia (Vivo) and PT Aneka Petroindo Raya (APR)-AKR Corporindo Tbk, which manages BP stations — had begun talks with Pertamina.
As of the second week of October, ExxonMobil and Shell had not yet joined discussions, with Shell seeking approval from its headquarters and Exxon planning to reassess in November as its stock levels remained adequate.
Related news: Private oil firms to import extra fuel supplies from Pertamina: Govt
"However, all of them are negotiating right now. We must wait for the outcome before the fuel becomes available at gas stations," Sulaeman said.
He added that three companies have already agreed to purchase fuel from Pertamina, though he declined to disclose their names until supplies reach their stations.
The main issue being finalized in the talks is the fuel quality inspection at the first delivery point, or loading port, which has now been settled, he confirmed.
Fuel shortages have hit several private gas stations since mid-August, with Vivo, Shell, and BP outlets experiencing limited supplies by mid-October. To address the issue, the government advised private operators to cooperate with Pertamina for supply continuity.
Pertamina Patra Niaga’s Acting Corporate Secretary, Roberth MV Dumatubun, said both Vivo and APR-AKR have moved fuel import cooperation discussions to the technical stage.
Once the technical matters are concluded, commercial terms and joint inspections will follow.
Dumatubun said the process continues smoothly, with all three private-sector partners agreeing to align cargo shipments within a single procurement cycle rather than separate consignments.
Related news: Indonesia summons private gas stations over Pertamina fuel deal
Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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