Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni attended a Joint Team Meeting on the Management of Community Oil Wells, held at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) in Jakarta on Thursday (October 9, 2025). The meeting discussed the legalization of approximately 45,000 community-operated oil wells across six provinces, as part of the government’s efforts to regulate local oil extraction activities to ensure order, safety, and sustainability.
The meeting was attended by several ministers and institutional leaders, including the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Minister of Investment, as well as representatives from Pertamina and local governments in oil-producing regions.
The discussion marked a concrete step by the government to reorganize community oil well operations that have long run without official permits, often causing social issues and potential environmental degradation.
The government emphasized that all inventoried community wells will operate under the management of regionally owned enterprises (BUMD), cooperatives, or micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) designated by local governments. Furthermore, all production outputs must be sold to Pertamina or to Oil and Gas Cooperation Contract Contractors (KKKS).
The Ministry of Forestry has given special attention to the presence of community oil wells located within or near forest areas. Unregulated drilling and oil storage activities have led to serious risks, including vegetation loss, soil degradation, and potential forest fires. Through this legalization and regulatory process, the government will establish a stronger legal framework for monitoring and rehabilitating affected forest areas. (*)
