JAKARTA: State-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina plans to sell Pertalite, a RON 90 fuel, which could gradually replace consumption of RON 88 Premium, in 1,500 gas filling stations (SPBU) by the end of this year.
“Pertalite is currently available in 600 SPBU,” said Pertamina vice president of corporate communication Wianda Pusponegoro on Friday as quoted by kompas.com.
Since being introduced in July 24, the fuel has been available in 39 cities and regencies throughout Java.
Wianda stated that the company aimed to increase Pertalite’s sales network so that more Indonesians could enjoy it.
As for the price, Wianda said that it would follow the index value in the international market. In early September, for example, the firm reduced the price from Rp 8,400 (less than US$1) to Rp 8,300 per liter.
To make Pertalite, Pertamina blends a refinery product called naphtha with a high octane mogas component (HOMC). The largest part of locally made naphtha, which has a low octane rating of 60 to 70, is now exported.
The fuel product competes with government-subsidized Premium. It also has broadened Pertamina’s product portfolio, which includes Premix RON 92.
