Pertamina Increases Oil Reserves and Output as US–Venezuela Tensions Rise

Antara
January 6, 2026 | 3:14 pm
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LPG terminal in Arun, Lhokseumawe, Aceh. (Photo Courtesy of Pertamina Patra Niaga)
LPG terminal in Arun, Lhokseumawe, Aceh. (Photo Courtesy of Pertamina Patra Niaga)

Jakarta. Indonesia is stepping up efforts to boost domestic oil production amid global geopolitical uncertainty, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, which could potentially disrupt global oil supplies, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said on Tuesday.

Ministry spokesperson Dwi Anggia said the government is strengthening Indonesia’s energy resilience by increasing strategic oil reserves and optimizing domestic production to reduce exposure to external shocks.

“As an anticipatory measure, we continue to increase national strategic oil reserves and optimize production,” Dwi Anggia said, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, production gains are being pursued through the wider use of advanced technologies and extraction techniques, including hydraulic fracturing, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and horizontal drilling. These methods are expected to help lift output from mature and declining fields.

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The government is also offering a range of incentives to attract upstream oil and gas investment. These include fiscal reforms, faster licensing processes and greater support for exploration activities in frontier areas that are believed to hold untapped reserves.

In addition, authorities are pushing to revive around 4,500 idle oil wells located across several regions of the country, a move aimed at quickly adding incremental production. “The situation, including developments in Venezuela, continues to be closely monitored,” Dwi Anggia said.

The comments come as concerns grow over potential disruptions to global oil supply following heightened tensions in Venezuela. However, Pertamina Internasional Eksplorasi dan Produksi (PIEP), the overseas upstream arm of state-owned energy firm Pertamina, said its assets in Venezuela remain unaffected.

PIEP holds a 71.09 percent stake in French oil and gas company Maurel & Prom (M&P), which operates oil assets in Venezuela. The company said it is maintaining close coordination with the Indonesian Embassy in Caracas to ensure the safety of its personnel and the continuity of operations.

“These efforts are part of the company’s commitment to protecting workers and ensuring operations continue normally,” PIEP said in a statement.

Pertamina has been actively acquiring and managing overseas oil and gas assets to support domestic energy needs and bolster Indonesia’s long-term energy security. The company currently holds upstream assets in 11 countries, including Algeria, Malaysia, Iraq, France, Italy, Tanzania, Gabon, Nigeria, Colombia, Angola and Venezuela.

The government has set an oil and gas production target of 610,000 barrels per day in the 2026 state budget, up from 605,000 barrels per day in the 2025 budget.

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