【SMM Flash News】 Colorado Completes Year-Long Project to Extinguish Century-Old Smoldering Coal Waste Pile

Indonesia’s state-owned utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) expects its LNG requirement to surge to 103 cargoes in 2026, up from 90 in 2025, as the country grapples with a 5.3% annual growth in power demand and declining pipeline gas supplies. While PLN has secured 62 cargoes through long-term contracts with BP, a 41-cargo gap persists, with 32 cargoes anticipated from the Bontang and Tangguh plants and 9 still awaiting government allocation. Despite warnings from upstream regulator SKK Migas regarding potential shortages, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia maintains that domestic production will suffice through 2026 without imports.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has officially commenced crude oil imports from the United States to enhance national energy security and reduce dependence on Middle Eastern supply routes, specifically the Strait of Hormuz. Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirmed on April 10 that shipments are already underway, citing a strategic shift to mitigate geopolitical risks and fulfill commitments under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). As global market conditions tighten and sellers prioritize competitive pricing, the Indonesian government is maintaining a flexible procurement strategy, remaining open to various sources, including Russia, to ensure stable domestic fuel availability.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has directed the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to conduct a comprehensive one-week evaluation of all Mining Business Licenses (IUP), specifically targeting those operating illegally or unclearly within forest conservation areas. Following reports of non-compliant mining activities in protected zones, the President mandated the immediate revocation of problematic permits and a state takeover of their management to strengthen national oversight. The Ministry is required to provide daily progress updates with a final report due within seven days, signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal mining to safeguard national interests and environment.