Pertamina to expand Biopertamax sales

Facing increasing competition in the retail gasoline sector, Indonesias state-owned PT Pertamina plans to increase the number of gas stations selling high-quality biofuels, known as Biopertamax, from 1 at present to 24 by the end of April. Djaelani Sutomo, Pertamina vice president for fuel sales and distribution, said the company would have to increase its orders for ethanol in order to meet the increased demand. A number of foreign-owned companies have begun operating in Indonesia’s downstream oil and gas sector since it was liberalized in 2005. (April 14, 2007)