TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina has jacked up fuel imports to anticipate rising demands for fuel during Ramadan and Lebaran this year. Pertamina has increased imports of subsidized fuel, locally known as Premium, to nine million barrels in May 2015 and 10 million barrels in June 2015.

“Previously, Premium imports were eight million barrels per month. In May, the volume was increased to nine million barrels per month and 10 million barrels in June,” Pertamina marketing director Ahmad Bambang said after a working meeting with the House of Representatives Commission VII on Tuesday, June 16, 2015.

Pertamina, Bambang added, had calculated that fuel consumption would rise 15 days prior to and after Lebaran. For Ramadan this year, Pertamina predicted that Premium consumption would climb by 1.8 percent compared normal days.

“The Premium reserves have been increased to meet demands for 8.5 days from 17 days,” Bambang said.

According to Bambang, the average Premium consumption during normal days stands at 76,258 kiloliters per day, while that of 15 days prior to and after Lebaran is expected to increase to 89,817 kiloliters per day.

KHAIRUL ANAM