We will provide around 40,000 cans in 122 points along the routes holiday travelers would pass."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - PT Pertamina will increase gasoline imports by 400,000 barrels to anticipate consumption hike for the post-fasting holiday, vice president for retail gasoline marketing, Muchamad Iskandar, said.
He said consumption of subsidized gasoline 15 days before and 15 days after the end of the fasting month or between July 24 and August 25 is projected to increase by 14 percent to 91,830 kiloliters from 80,553 kiloliters.
"The peak is expected on August 3 or five days before the end of the fasting month or `Lebaran` reaching 107,277 kiloliters which is up by 33 percent," he said.
In 2012 consumption reached 101,000 kiloliters one day before Lebaran.
He said gasoline consumption kept increasing in line with the increasing number of cars used for traveling in the holiday season.
Iskandar said the gasoline imports would be carried out in two cargoes each carrying 200,000 barrels.
He said additional imports like years before must be planned days ahead.
"Right now 70 percent of subsidized gasoline needs is met through imports while the rest is met from domestic refineries," he said.
Returning travelers meanwhile are expected to peak four days after Lebaran when gasoline consumption is expected to reach 105,502 kiloliters or increase by 30 percent.
Consumption of subsidized diesel fuel meanwhile is predicted to decline as industries will be closed for the holiday and big trucks will not be allowed to operate during the holiday.
On average diesel fuel consumption is expected to reach 38,628 kiloliters per day or drop by five percent during the holiday.
With regard to natural gas Pertamina is anticipating for possible scarcity in Jakarta as distribution centers will close for the holiday.
To deal with that "We will increase LPG sales through gas filling stations and other outlets such as supermarkets," he said.
LPG consumption during the Lebaran holiday is estimated to increase 15 to 20 percent from the normal level and it will shift from Jakarta to towns in Central and East Java, he said.
As for jet fuel, top consumption is expected to happen two days before Lebaran reaching 13,052 kiloliters, up 23 percent from the normal level of 10,620 kiloliters.
Iskandar said during the Lebaran holiday this year Pertamina would provide non-subsidized gasoline in cans.
"We will provide around 40,000 cans in 122 points along the routes holiday travelers would pass," he said.
The gasoline cans will be sold in five liter to 20 liter packages at a price Rp500 higher than that at filling stations, he said.
Iskandar said nationally gasoline supply for Lebaran would be maintained at a volume enough for 18 to 20 days ahead, while diesel fuel for 21-23 days, jet fuel 25 to 27 days, pertamax 35 to 40 days and LPG for 15 days.
(Reporting by Kelik Dewanto/Uu.H-YH/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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