posted June 30, 2001 14:22            

INDONESIA'S state oil company Pertamina said it was negotiating over possible imports of crude oil from Iran.

"Iran has said that Pertamina can buy crude from them. We are still negotiating," Pertamina president director Baihaki Hakim told reporters.

"We are also still negotiating with Aramco of Saudi Arabia for the possible extension of our import," he said. He said Pertamina imports about 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil from Aramco for its Cilacap refinery.

"Aramco has told us that the crude deal should be reviewed quarterly.

That is why we are negotiating with Aramco as well as with Iran. We want a favourable price," he added, but did not elaborate.

Pertamina has 118,000 bpd and 230,000 bpd crude distillation units at its Cilacap refinery, in Central Java.