Jakarta. Vivo Energy Indonesia (Vivo) has become the first private fuel retailer to secure a deal with state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, agreeing to purchase 40,000 barrels of base fuel from a 100,000-barrel imported cargo. Private gas stations have been experiencing fuel shortages in the past month as more and more consumers switch to higher-quality, non-subsidized fuel.

The agreement was formalized through Pertamina Patra Niaga (PPN) in a business-to-business arrangement. PPN and Vivo will conduct joint quality and quantity surveys to ensure the fuel meets the required specifications.

Acting Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Roberth MV Dumatubun, said the deal reflects the government’s directive to collaborate with private firms to maintain energy availability. “This policy is not just about fuel imports, but ensuring all parties work together so energy is available and the public is served effectively,” he said.

Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia encouraged private gas station operators to adopt a “single-door system” via Pertamina for fuel procurement. Four out of five major private retailers—including Shell, BP-AKR, Vivo, and ExxonMobil—have agreed to source fuel from Pertamina. Only one company has yet to finalize an agreement, and details were not disclosed. Local media reports indicate BP-AKR is still coordinating with Pertamina regarding its base fuel purchase.

The base fuel cargo arrived in Jakarta on September 24, 2025, meeting the specifications set by the Directorate General of Oil and Gas. Pertamina has committed not to seek excessive profits amid the current market conditions. Fuel supply in private retailers is expected to return to normal by next week.

“The base fuel will be provided according to the specifications they need, including the quality and other technical requirements, as they have requested in their usual operations," Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry spokesperson Dwi Anggia said Friday at the ministry’s Jakarta office.

Private retailers have already got a 10 percent bigger import quota in 2025 versus last year, but the supplies have nearly run out before the year ends amidst growing demand. The extra quota is equivalent to between 7,000 and 44,000 kiloliters. The additional quota that Pertamina Patra Niaga gets is fourteen times larger, reaching a whopping 613,000 kiloliters. Estimates showed that Pertamina made up 92.5 percent of Indonesia's unsubsidized fuel market. 

Indonesia’s antimonopoly watchdog, KPPU, has warned that limiting fuel procurement through Pertamina could reduce consumer choices and disrupt economic activity, highlighting the tension between regulatory oversight and market collaboration.

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