Pertamina revises down fuel supply for Idul Fitri exodus

PERTAMINA - JAKARTA. State-owned energy holding company Pertamina has revised down the supply of fuel it will provide during the Idul Fitri exodus in June, from 20 percent higher than on regular days to 15 percent.

The Transportation Ministry is expecting a 13 percent rise in fuel consumption during the annual event, according to Jumali, Pertamina senior vice president of retail marketing business.

“Last year, we saw only a 10 percent increase in gasoline consumption. This year, we will prepare an additional 15 percent [of fuel],” he said.

The ministry’s projection is based on expected fuel consumption 15 days before and after Idul Fitri, which is expected to fall on June 5 or 6.

According to ministry estimates, 10.61 million vehicles will be used by millions of Muslims to travel to their respective hometowns to celebrate the holiday.

Gasoline consumption is estimated to reach 107,165 kiloliters per day or 15.78 percent higher than regular consumption.

“Peak fuel consumption will be at 137,025 kl five to six days before Idul Fitri,” Jumali said.

Pertamina will prepare 1.11 million kl of Premium gasoline to cover 21 days of demand and 1.1 million kl of Pertalite, as well as 902,819 kl of Pertamax for 22 days.

For solar, Pertamina predicted to see a lower demand at 10.45 percent due to a seasonal government regulation that bans trucks from toll roads during Idul Fitri and a drop in factory work.

Meanwhile, for diesel fuel, Pertamina will prepare only 35,866 kl or 10.45 percent lower than on regular days, when consumption reaches 40,050 kl per day.

For avtur, Pertamina supply and distribution vice president Fariz Aziz said consumption was expected to be lower than last year due to a fewer number of flights.

“We will see a decrease in avtur consumption this year. It means that our stock is safe. We even stopped avtur imports in January.” he said.

He said avtur consumption would only increase 8 percent to 14,524 kl per day during the holiday compared to the regular consumption of 13,414 kl per day.