Indonesia’s Pertamina is seeking for more 1.6 million barrels of high sulphur 2500ppm gasoil for delivery in second-half October via a spot procurement tender, three sources with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday.

The state-owned energy major is hoping to buy – via its trading arm – a total of six cargoes with volumes from 200,000 to 500,000 barrels via a tender that closes on Oct. 9, with offers to have the validity up to Oct. 11.

Two 200,000-barrel cargoes should be loading on Oct. 14-16 and Oct. 23-25 from Singapore or Malaysia, one 300,000-barrel cargo for Oct. 21-23 delivery to Tuban, one 200,000-500,000 barrel cargo for Oct. 29-31 delivery to Tuban and two 200,000 barrel cargoes for delivery to Tanjung Uban and Pulau Laut on Oct. 18-20 and Oct 29-31.

Pertamina’s trading arm bought some 2500ppm and 50ppm sulphur gasoil cargoes two weeks ago for first-half October delivery at premiums of $2-3 a barrel, two of the sources said, adding that refiner’s procurement activity is linked to possible production woes that could extend into November.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The Balikpapan refinery “has completed the revamp work of HCU A and HCU B. Both units are in the commissioning and start up stage after the revamp”, said a Pertamina refinery spokesperson earlier.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Trixie Yap; additional reporting by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Louise Heavens)