Indonesia to tender new oil & gas blocks, reduce LPG imports

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia aims to tender all 60 oil and gas working areas by 2027 to increase oil lifting and support energy security, said its Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.

Bahlil said that there are around 60 oil and gas working areas that Indonesia will tender until 2028. All the tendered areas will be new blocks.

Newly-appointed Director General of Oil and Gas Achmad Muchtasyar was assigned to evaluate the working area that has received approval for the Plan of Development (PoD) but has yet to commence production despite the lengthy 20-year period.

Bahlil also called for a regulation governing oil and gas exports and imports to support the country’s commodity balance as directed by President Prabowo Subianto towards achieving energy sovereignty.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources aims for oil lifting to reach around 800,000 - 900,000 barrels per day by 2029.

Meanwhile, Bahlil, who is also head of the task force for the acceleration of downstreaming and national energy security, has emphasised the importance of developing the domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry to cut imports.

He said Indonesia needs to build the LPG industry by utilizing C3 (propane) and C4 (butane) gas, and also needs to push for household gas networks to meet people's needs.

The domestic consumption of LPG in Indonesia is around 8 million tonnes per year. Meanwhile, the industry produces just 1.4 million tonnes of LPG per year. Thus, Indonesia has to import around 6 million to 7 million tons of LPG every year.

Therefore, the country needs to accelerate efforts to reduce LPG imports to maintain the economic balance and narrow the deficit in its trade balance and foreign exchange.

Currently, Indonesia is spending significant foreign exchange on LPG imports, with around 450 trillion IDR (over 28.1 billion USD) spent each year to purchase oil and gas, including LPG./.

VNA

See more

Two foreign tourists buy curry puffs at the popular Khun Phu shop in the Talat Noi community in Bangkok on Monday. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand revises tourism strategy after earthquake

Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong said that a tourism risk and crisis management team will be established to support the industry, with representatives from organisations in the tourism supply chain, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Roads Authority.

General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, former President of Laos and senior revolutionary of the LPRP. (Source: VNA)

Former Lao President Khamtay Siphanone passes away

General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, former President of Laos and senior revolutionary of the LPRP, passed away at 10:30am on April 2 at the age of 102.

Rescue teams search for victims after the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 31, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Relief efforts face major challenges

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake has caused widespread destruction in central Myanmar, displacing tens of thousands. The situation has been further complicated by ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Sagaing region, making it extremely difficult to deliver aid to affected areas.

At the explosion site (Photo: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim)

Malaysia investigates gas pipeline explosion

The incident destroyed 78 houses and 10 shop lots, while also damaging 237 other houses and numerous vehicles. An estimated 364 people were affected, including 63 injured.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra listens to a briefing by a team of Israeli rescuers who are part of an international contingent working at the collapsed building site in Bangkok. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand works to restore global trust after Myanmar quake

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra underscored Thailand's commitment to restoring its image and ensuring public confidence, noting that a thorough investigation into the project's approval, design and construction materials is underway.

Thailand speeds up investigation into Bangkok building collapse

Thailand speeds up investigation into Bangkok building collapse

The SAO building, valued at 2.1 billion THB (61.4 million USD), had been under construction for approximately five years and was nearing completion. It was the only building in Bangkok to collapse as a result of the powerful earthquake in Myanmar.

Delegates at the event (Photo: kpl.gov.la)

Laos aims for sustainable infrastructure development

Laos' Enabling Environment Roadmap for Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM EE) outlines strategies for the effective management of public infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals, with a focus on resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia (Photo: scienceexchange.caltech.edu)

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:15 pm, with its epicenter located 93 km northeast of Indonesia's Maluku Barat Daya district and a hypocenter at a depth of 157 km beneath the seabed. No tsunami warning has been issued.

Rescue forces are racing against time to search for victims of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Devastation’s full extend is not clear

Myanmar's state media quoted military government leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as saying the earthquake death toll had reached 2,065, with more than 3,900 injured and some 270 missing. Aid agencies forecast these numbers will rise significantly due to information blackouts in remote areas.

File - Passengers pass through the automatic immigration checkpoint (auto gate) at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, January 3, 2024. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia operates auto gates at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

According to Johanes Fanny Satria Cahya Aprianto, head of the airport's immigration office, immigration services are fully prepared for the surge in passengers. Currently the office has deployed 531 personnel to ensure smooth and efficient immigration processing at the airport.