Indonesia to cut oil imports

JAKARTA, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Indonesia's state-run Pertamina said it will reduce its monthly crude oil imports by 1.5 million barrels starting in April because of surging prices.

"Crude oil is so expensive we will cut imports by 1.5 million barrels in April," said production director Suroso Atmomartoyo.

Pertamina's crude oil import ranges 6 million to 9 million barrels per month, depending on demands, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

The government ordered Pertamina to increase oil imports earlier in order to resolve an electricity supply problem due to a lack of fuel.