Indonesia to form task force to control illegal oil drilling

hartono · Apr 8, 2026

Director of Certain Crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), Brigadier General Moh. Irhamni (right), and Special Staff to the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Rudy Sufahriadi (left), deliver a press statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. ANTARA/Nadia Putri Rahmani

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government is preparing to establish a task force to curb illegal drilling and regulate unauthorized oil wells across the country.

Director of Certain Crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), Brigadier General Mohammad Irhamni, said on Wednesday that rising global oil prices have necessitated this move.

To anticipate the impact of high prices, Indonesia needs to strengthen its domestic oil reserves while many illegal wells remain in operation.

The National Police, along with Indonesia’s upstream oil and gas special task force (SKK Migas), the Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministry, and state oil and gas company Pertamina, have initiated the formation of the task force.

This group will regulate illegal oil wells in several regions including Sumatra and Kalimantan to ensure better resource management.

“The task force will operate in accordance with directives from the leadership, including the ESDM Ministry and SKK Migas, and will coordinate with the National Police chief on when to begin operations,” he said.

To finalize its establishment, a focus group discussion was held to discuss the technical aspects of enforcement and coordination.

Special Staff to the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Rudy Sufahriadi explained that community managed wells can now be purchased by Pertamina.

Under Ministerial Regulation Number 14 of 2025, these wells will no longer be considered illegal provided there is a cooperation agreement.

"They can be acquired by Pertamina with Medco Energi also involved provided there is a cooperation agreement and designated wells," Sufahriadi said.

He added that these regulated wells will serve as new supply sources for Pertamina for a period of four years.

The policy will not allow the opening of new wells and focuses strictly on managing existing unauthorized sites.

"There will be no new wells and for those already established enforcement will be carried out," the special staff emphasized.