PT Vivo Energy, operator of Vivo gas stations in Indonesia, has pulled out of an agreement to buy imported base fuel from state-owned Pertamina, officials confirmed during a parliamentary hearing on January 10, 2025, reports Indonesia Business Post.
Initially, Vivo and another private distributor, APR, had agreed on September 26, 2025, to purchase part of Pertamina’s base fuel supply. Base fuel is raw, unblended fuel that private stations typically process with additives and coloring to create their branded retail products.
Achmad Muchtasyar, Deputy Director of Pertamina Patra Niaga, said both Vivo and APR decided not to proceed after further discussions with the government and Pertamina. “The companies raised concerns over the ethanol content, even though the batch contained 3.5 percent ethanol, well below the regulatory limit of 20 percent,” he noted. Differences in product specifications ultimately led to the cancellation.
Despite the withdrawal, Pertamina emphasized that private stations can still participate in future fuel procurement if the cargo meets their quality requirements. “Each brand has unique specifications for its end products, and we remain open to collaboration,” Achmad said.
Under the original deal, Vivo had committed to taking 40,000 barrels out of the 100,000 barrels offered by Pertamina, helping secure domestic fuel supplies and ensure smooth energy distribution. Pertamina’s Corporate Secretary, Roberth Marcelino Verieza Dumatubun, highlighted that the agreement aimed not just at imports but also at coordinated efforts to maintain reliable fuel availability.
The imported base fuel shipment arrived in Jakarta on September 24, 2025, shortly after the initial agreement, with Pertamina expediting delivery from the usual seven- to ten-day import timeframe. All supply processes complied with state-owned enterprise regulations, including inspections by approved surveyors.
