Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has raised concerns that the country’s continued reliance on fuel imports may be the result of deliberate inaction rather than a lack of domestic resources.
Speaking at the Energy and Mineral Forum in Jakarta on Monday, May 26, Bahlil suggested that delays in oil and gas development projects could be part of a “designed” effort to maintain Indonesia’s dependence on foreign fuel.
“Is it that we really don’t have natural resources, or is this intentionally slowed down so we keep importing? I believe this is by design,” he said, as reported Antara.
Bahlil pointed to the stagnation of at least 301 oil and gas exploration projects that have yet to receive approval for a Plan of Development (POD), effectively stalling domestic production.
He also noted 17 approved working areas (WKs) that have delayed their production timelines despite holding an estimated 306 million barrels of oil and 18,351 billion cubic feet (BCF) of gas.
Bahlil also revealed that 10 offshore working areas with approved development plans remain idle, representing a missed investment opportunity worth $1.8 billion. These sites could yield an estimated 51.35 million barrels of oil or 31,300 barrels per day and 600 BCF of gas.
Indonesia has nearly 40,000 oil and gas wells, yet fewer than 20,000 are currently productive, according to the minister.
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In response, the ministry plans to review and potentially revoke the contracts of oil and gas contractors that fail to develop their assigned working areas. These assets could then be reauctioned to more capable operators.
Bahlil emphasized the urgency of boosting domestic oil production to reduce dependence on fuel imports, particularly from countries like Singapore.
“We’re importing from a country that doesn’t even have oil,” he said. “This is clearly by design. Only short-sighted people would think otherwise.”
(Raidi/Agung)
