Indonesia opens revamped 360,000-bpd Balikpapan refinery

Indonesia reopens Balikpapan refinery after $7.4-billion upgrade

JAKARTA, January 12, 2026 – Indonesia has inaugurated the upgraded Balikpapan refinery, expanding capacity from 260,000 bpd to 360,000 bpd at the country’s largest refining facility, international media reported on Monday.

The USD 7.4-billion upgrade, led by Pertamina’s subsidiary Kilang Pertamina Internasional, aims to strengthen energy independence by reducing reliance on fuel and LPG imports. The refinery is expected to produce 5.8 billion litres of petrol annually, which could cut petrol imports from 24 billion to 19 billion litres.

Enhancements include Euro V-standard processing units, expanded LPG output from 48,000 to 384,000 tonnes, and a new petrochemicals unit with a capacity of 283,000 tonnes per year. The site also features a newly operational residual fluid catalytic cracking complex to convert residual oil into fuels and petrochemicals.

President Prabowo has prioritised energy security, while Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the country aims to stop importing jet fuel by 2027 and reported a recovery in upstream oil output, which reached 580,000 bpd in 2024.

Kilang Pertamina Internasional is a refining and petrochemicals subsidiary of Pertamina, Indonesia’s state energy company. It oversees several refinery upgrade projects to increase domestic processing capacity and support national energy security.

Photo courtesy of PT Kilang Pertamina Balikpapan

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