Jakarta, March 12 -- The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will seek to increase oil and gas lifting in conjunction with its plan to build oil refineries with a total capacity of 1 million barrels per day.

"We are trying to increase domestic production by accelerating exploration," Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yuliot Tanjung, said here on Wednesday.

By increasing oil and gas lifting, the government aims to prevent an increase in crude oil imports due to the rise in national refinery capacity, he added.

Indonesia is currently experiencing a downward trend in oil and gas lifting.

"We will also accelerate the tender auction process for new work areas," Yuliot informed.

Earlier, Energy and Mineral Resources Min...