Stepping on the Gas over Subsidized Fuel

A two-meter zinc fence encloses a gas refueling station (SPBG) in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta. The station displays the logos of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and state oil and gas firm Pertamina and is the proud owner of four glowing dispensers. In one corner stands a dryer machine, a compressor and a storage unit for processing raw gas before it is distributed to the dispensers.

Originally this station was built to supply gas for TransJakarta buses and other gas-fueled vehicles. It was designed to provide one million cubic feet of gas per day, the equivalent of 30,000 liters of subsidized Premium fuel. However, the station today merely looks like a machinery exhibition because it could not be inaugurated in March due to dirty pipelines and lack of gas supply.

June 17, 2014