Shell and BP Stations Run Low on Fuel in Jakarta Amid Quota Shortages

Shell and BP petrol stations in Jakarta have run low on fuel due to import quotas running dry. Several Shell stations have suspended sales of key products, while BP has reported sporadic shortages of certain fuel types. The companies are coordinating with the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to restore supply.

Fuel shortages have been reported at several Shell and BP gas stations in Jakarta, as import quotas have run dry. The issue has led to the suspension of sales of key products at some Shell stations and sporadic shortages of certain fuel types at BP stations. The companies are coordinating with the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to restore supply.

Shell Plc and BP Plc-branded gas stations in Indonesia have been facing low fuel supplies due to import restrictions. According to a statement on Shell's website, the three brands of gasoline sold by Shell in the country are unavailable at some locations until further notice. The company, which accounts for a small part of Indonesia’s market, is coordinating with the country’s Energy Ministry to ensure fuel availability [1].

Most Read from Bloomberg Indonesia’s imports of gasoline, which are regulated by government quotas, fell 22% year-on-year at the end of August, according to Kpler data. While the country does produce some crude from local fields, it is a net oil importer, and a lack of refining capacity means that some petroleum products are shipped in from overseas [1].

The Jakarta Post reported that BP-branded stations are also facing shortages of some products, with about 50 forecourts in Indonesia carrying the British firm’s brand [3]. The energy minister has encouraged private companies to purchase supplies from state-owned PT Pertamina, which dominates the country’s gasoline retailing [2].

The volume and frequency of Pertamina's overseas gasoline procurement have surged over the last two weeks, according to tender documents tallied by Bloomberg. The Jakarta Post reported that Shell agreed to sell its Indonesian gas stations and associated fuel distribution operations to a joint venture between Philippines-based Citadel Pacific Ltd. and Sefas Group earlier this year [1].

The Energy Ministry has identified the cause of fuel shortages at several private gas stations in recent days. The scarcity stems from a shift in consumer behavior, with many motorists switching from subsidized to non-subsidized fuel. According to Vice Minister of ESDM Yuliot Tanjung, the shift amounts to about 1.4 million kiloliters [2].

The national fuel stock remains safe, with reserves equivalent to 26 days of consumption. However, the government is pushing for tighter coordination between Pertamina and private companies on imports to guarantee supply through the end of the year. The Ministry of ESDM will convene a coordination meeting next week with private gas station owners and Pertamina to prevent further supply disruptions [2].

The Energy Minister has restricted gas exports to safeguard Indonesia's supply and has allowed private gas stations to buy fuel from Pertamina [4]. The restrictions and coordination efforts aim to address the technical matters, including fuel specifications, and ensure compliance with the standards set by the Oil and Gas Directorate General [2].

Shell and BP are working to restore fuel supply by coordinating with the Energy Ministry and the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. The companies have emphasized that they will continue to serve customers with diesel and other services, including Shell V-Power Diesel and Shell Select [3].

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/shell-bp-gas-stations-run-045747524.html
[2] https://en.tempo.co/read/2046247/indonesias-energy-ministry-explains-cause-of-fuel-shortages-at-gas-stations
[3] https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2025/09/03/shell-bp-pumps-run-dry-in-jakarta-as-import-caps-bite.html