Jakarta – Pertamina Patra Niaga Subholding Commercial & Trading PT Pertamina (Persero) has assured that there is no fuel mixing (blending) in Pertamax fuel. Pertamina guarantees that the quality of Pertamax complies with the specifications or standards set by the government, which is RON 92.
The Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Heppy Wulansari, confirmed that the treatment carried out at the main fuel terminals involves the process of color injection (dyes) as a product identifier. This is done to make it easily recognizable by the public. Additionally, there is an injection of additives that serves to enhance Pertamax’s performance.
“This treatment is not blending, and it does not alter the octane value of Pertamax. Pertamax remains a fuel product with RON 92, and the public need not worry, they can continue to use Pertamax as usual,” said Heppy.
Pertamina Patra Niaga also ensured that it has implemented strict procedures and oversight in conducting its Quality Control (QC) activities. The distribution of Pertamina’s fuel is also monitored by the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas).
“The products that enter Pertamina’s fuel terminals are finished products with their respective RON specifications. Pertalite has RON 90, while Pertamax has RON 92. From the reception until distribution to the public, all products comply with government regulations,” said Heppy.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Corporate Communication at PT Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, emphasized that blending is the process of mixing fuel with other chemical elements to achieve a certain RON, and it is different from “blending” in the context of improper or illegal mixing.
“Blending is different from improper mixing. Blending refers to the process of mixing fuel with other chemical elements to achieve a specific RON,” Fadjar explained.
Fadjar also confirmed that Pertamina’s blending process results in products that meet RON 92 standards for Pertamax, and these products have been validated by the Oil and Gas Institute (LEMIGAS), which is under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
“Regarding the issue that Pertamax fuel is a mixture, this is not true. Pertamax remains in accordance with the standard, which is RON 92,” Fadjar clarified.
As an example, Pertamina has carried out blending on Pertalite, which is a RON 90 fuel that results from mixing RON 92 and RON 88. This process is necessary because RON 90 fuel is not available in the international market.
In agreement, Member of the Indonesian Parliament, Bambang Haryadi, reaffirmed that there is no practice of improper fuel mixing (blending) in the Indonesian fuel market.
“This is agreed upon by all parties, both private and government. Oversight through LEMIGAS also applies the same standards, whether it’s Shell, AKR, Vivo, Exxon, or Pertamina. There is no difference. Hopefully, the public can be enlightened that what is sold by Pertamina is RON 90 for Pertalite, RON 92 for Pertamax, and RON 98 for Pertamax Turbo,” said Bambang.