JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—Indonesia reduced pipeline gas exports to Singapore by 31 billion British thermal units per day (BBTUD) on Saturday, Oct. 24, redirecting the supply to domestic electricity generation in Batam, Bintan and Sumatra.

The reduction comprises 15 BBTUD from the Natuna area and 16 BBTUD from Sumatra, according to Djoko Siswanto, head of Indonesia’s upstream oil and gas regulator SKK Migas.

“Starting tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 24, we will reduce gas exports to Singapore—15 BBTUD from Natuna and 16 BBTUD from Sumatra,” Djoko said on Friday evening. He made this statement during the 2026 Subroto Energy Awards in Jakarta.

The Sumatra portion comes from the Jambi Merang working area, while the Natuna supply will be redirected through the West Natuna Transportation System–Pemping–Batam pipeline to support PLN Batam. The remaining 16 BBTUD will support electricity supply in Batam, Bintan and other parts of Sumatra through the Transgasindo network.

SKK Migas said no other export destination would be affected because the relevant pipelines connect Indonesia directly with Singapore.

“No other country is affected. The pipelines only go to Singapore,” Djoko said.

Djoko said the government made the adjustment to strengthen the reliability of domestic gas supply for electricity generation. SKK Migas will monitor the redirected flows daily to ensure the gas reaches domestic users.

The regulator has not specified whether the export reduction is temporary or permanent. It has also not publicly detailed how the adjustment affects existing commercial obligations between Indonesian suppliers and Singaporean buyers.

The policy comes as Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia reviews Indonesia’s gas-export allocation. His goal is to secure feedstock for a planned petrochemical industry.

Indonesia currently uses about 70 percent of its gas production domestically and exports roughly 30 percent, Bahlil said. More detailed ministry data cited by local media placed domestic use at 74.55 percent and exports at 25.39 percent. Therefore, the ratio may differ depending on the period and calculation method.

“Going forward, I intend to conduct a reassessment to optimize gas for domestic consumption, including its use as a raw material,” Bahlil said, according to Antara.

After a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Bahlil also raised the possibility of not renewing gas-export contracts with neighboring countries.

“If other countries want to take a different view of us, they should be careful. I may also consider not extending gas exports to neighboring countries,” he said.

Bahlil did not name Singapore in that statement. SKK Migas has attributed Saturday’s reduction to domestic electricity requirements. Therefore, the available information does not establish that the move was retaliation for a specific diplomatic dispute.

The decision also represents a change from Bahlil’s position in May, when he said the government would not reduce contracted gas-export quotas in 2026. However, the government has yet to explain publicly whether Saturday’s reallocation modifies a contract or only adjusts operational deliveries.

Prioritizing local supply could support power reliability and Indonesia’s planned petrochemical expansion. However, the policy’s broader effect will depend on its duration. It will also depend on compliance with existing contracts and the domestic industries that ultimately receive the redirected gas.