ASIATODAY.ID, BALIKPAPAN — The Balikpapan Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project is entering its final phase and is expected to begin initial operations in mid-December 2025.
Valued at USD 7.4 billion (approximately IDR 126 trillion), the project stands as one of Indonesia’s largest state-owned enterprise investments aimed at strengthening national energy security as part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita agenda.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Yuliot, conducted an inspection of the RDMP Balikpapan facilities on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
He confirmed that all major infrastructure components—including the 2-million-barrel oil storage facility—are nearing full completion.
“We inspected both production and supporting facilities. Overall, only about 1–2 percent of minor refinements remain, which we expect to complete in the coming days,” Yuliot said.
Yuliot emphasized that the remaining work involves minor technical details, not core project structures. Once these final tasks are completed, the Balikpapan Refinery will be ready to be inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto in December 2025.
“We will propose the inauguration once all on-site preparations reach 100 percent readiness,” he added.
Strengthening Indonesia’s Energy Independence
As one of Indonesia’s National Strategic Projects (PSN), the RDMP Balikpapan is expected to supply 22–25 percent of the nation’s fuel demand. The upgraded refinery will play a critical role in reducing Indonesia’s reliance on imported fuel while increasing the domestic value added of natural resources.
“This facility will reinforce national energy security and support economic stability,” Yuliot noted.
RFCC Unit Fully Operational
President Director of PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI), Taufik Aditiyawarman, stated that KPI has completed several key milestones, including the commissioning of the Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) Complex on 10 November 2025, coinciding with Indonesia’s Heroes Day.
The RFCC is the refinery’s core unit, capable of producing fuel products that meet Euro V standards, improving processing efficiency and enhancing the refinery’s overall economic performance.
“The RFCC start-up marks a major step in KPI and Pertamina’s commitment to advancing a sovereign and sustainable energy sector,” Taufik stated.
Boosting Domestic Petrochemical Supply
Once fully operational, the Balikpapan Refinery will not only produce cleaner fuel but also convert residue into high-value petrochemical products such as propylene and ethylene. These products are essential feedstocks for Indonesia’s petrochemical industry, which currently relies heavily on imports.
The refinery’s expanded output is expected to strengthen domestic supply chains and support long-term industrial development. (AT Network)
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