Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during the Visit to PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan, Dumai, Riau Province, January 5, 2023

Journalist

What do you think about Hulu Rokan after you visit (the area)?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The reason we took over the Rokan block is because we believe that our human capital is of good quality. I have previously asked the CEO of Pertamina, “Is our production increasing or decreasing?” [The answer is that] the production is increasing. Previously, when Chevron managed the production, it did not decrease, but now it has increased from 156,000-158,000 barrels per day to 166,000 barrels per day. We want a multi-fold increase, and earlier the CEO of Pertamina said that this would require a lot of investment.

The most important thing is that we don’t let our oil lifting go down. For many years, our lifting has decreased. The consequence is our dependence on imports, even though we still have wells that we can manage for production so we don’t need to import a lot.

We must make the best use of technology, and we must use digitization to monitor [the production]. I have seen that the movement of each piece of heavy equipment and the drilling equipment here was monitored by digital monitors. This is good. If this is successful, I will order that the Mahakam Block be managed by the same management. Pertamina has a duty to produce seventy percent of our oil production, right?

CEO of Pertamina (Nicke Widyawati)

Right.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Seventy percent of the production in our country is of particular importance in the process of increasing our national oil lifting.

Journalist

Is there any target for Pertamina in increasing the production? How significant is it?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We cannot immediately meet the double target, namely 400,000 barrels per day. From 156,000-158,000 to 400,000 is not an easy job. However, I have set it as the target.

Journalist

What year should the target be achieved?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

As soon as possible. The CEO will make detailed calculations.

Journalist

What about the reshuffle, sir? Cabinet reshuffle.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

It would be carried out later. It could be on Friday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Journalist

How many Ministers, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

It would be carried out later.

(RI/MUR)