Indonesia resumes oil purchases from Russia after 10-year break

Reuters reported the information.

Pertamina has not purchased Russian oil since 2022, when the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war began, despite Indonesia not joining Western sanctions against Russia.

The company last bought ESPO blend and Sokol oil from Russia over a decade ago.

Pertamina has ordered Russian Urals crude oil along with sour grades Kirkuk, Jubilee, Al Shakheen and others for September 15-17 to its Cilacap refinery and Sokol among sweet grades such as Azeri BTC, El Sharara, Qua Iboe and others for delivery to the refinery during September 18-20.

Under the terms of the tender, Sokol oil will be supplied only on CFR or DAP (delivery at port) terms.

According to the sources, one of the tenders ended last week and the other on Monday. The results have not yet been announced. One of the sources familiar with Pertamina's plans said that the company can only buy Russian oil if it is sold within the price cap regulation.

The restriction allows Western shippers and insurers to participate in the trade of Russian oil, provided that the oil is sold at a price of less than $60 per barrel.

A spokesman for Pertamina's refining unit said on Tuesday that the firm will buy crude oil that meets the specifications of its refinery while complying with all relevant regulations.

• In May, oil imports from Russia to India rose to a record level of about 2.1 million barrels per day amid declining demand for Russian oil from China.