The Indonesian government called on Iran to invest in its oil refinery projects as the oil-rich country can supply local refineries from its reserves.
"We have asked [Iran] to invest either in Bontang Refinery [in East Kalimantan] with [state-owned oil and gas firm] Pertamina or establish its own refinery as we already allow 100 percent [foreign] ownership in the business," Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Director General for Oil and Gas IGN Wiratmaja Puja said on Monday, thejakartapost.com reported.
The request, Wiratmaja said, had been conveyed last week to a visiting Iranian delegation led by Communications and Information Technology Minister Mahmoud Vaezi.
Wiratmaja added that Indonesia currently bought liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Iran and was also planning to buy crude oil as well. "Should Iran invest in refineries here, it can supply the refineries with its crude oil," he said.
